Drink driver caught after Aberdeen hospital visit

A MAN drove home from visiting his sick wife at an Aberdeen hospital when he was almost three times the drink-drive limit.

Russell Morrison went to visit his partner after she was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

But the 41-year-old stopped for a drink on the way home and was caught by police on his street in Kemnay.

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Fiscal depute Lynne Mannion said Morrison had “smelled strongly of alcohol” when officers pulled him over on April 25.

Morrison, whose address was listed in court papers as 32 Fraser Place, Kemnay, was banned from driving for 18 months. Sheriff Philip Mann also ordered him to pay a £500 fine.

James Preston was in a crash after drinking a bottle-and-a half of wine. Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard the 21-year-old could not remember anything about the crash, which happened on an unclassified Tarves to Ellon road at Ardlethen.

Preston, whose address was listed in court papers as School Cottage, Barthol Chapel, admitted the offence, which happened on March 10.

Fiscal depute Sarah O’Gallagher said he was more than double the legal limit when the crash happened.

Defence agent Lynn Bentley said the first offender “could not remember anything”. Preston was banned from driving for two years and ordered to pay a £400 fine.

Meanwhile, a man who appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on 16 cases involving 31 charges, including drink driving, has been given a “last chance”.

Jamie Robb, 20, admitted offences, including driving while banned and breaking a night-time curfew order.

The Aberdeen man also twice drove more than the legal alcohol limit.

Sheriff Garden deferred sentence until July 29 but told Robb, whose address was given in court papers as 50 Corndavon Terrace, Aberdeen, he could be locked up if he got in trouble again.

Ryan Graham was locked up for 14 months after crashing his dad’s driving school car while under the influence of alcohol.

The 21-year-old had been drinking when he drove carelessly, causing the car to overturn.

Graham, whose address was given in court papers as c/o 34 Polinar Place, Inverurie admitted a catalogue of other offences, including setting fire to a car and breaking into a coffee shop.

The court heard Graham took his dad’s BSM driving school car without consent and drove on a provisional driving licence and without insurance.

Graham’s solicitor Lynne Newland said Graham, who suffers from depression, was immature and had no friends his own age.

Shaun Downie was unsteady on his feet when police saw him get out of his car, Peterhead Sheriff Court heard.

Downie, 25, drove when his upset partner called him after an incident at a party.

Downie, whose address was given in court papers as 27 Hillview Crescent, Rosehearty, admitted being almost three times the limit and driving without insurance or L -plates.

The offences, in Marconi Road, Fraserburgh, were on April 5. He was banned him from driving for 20 months and fined him £1,100.

Christopher Sime, 21, was caught drink driving by police after he lost control of his car.

Peterhead Sheriff Court heard police saw a car stopped on a grass verge, and found Sime with glazed eyes and smelling of drink.

His agent said the welder was unable to get a taxi. Sime, whose address was given in court papers as 27 Braehead Drive, Cruden Bay admitted being more than double the limit.

The offence, on the A975 Tillymaud to Cruden Bay road, was on January 29. He was fined £350 and banned for 15 months.

Ian Forman was almost twice the drink limit when he drove.

At Peterhead Sheriff Court he admitted driving over the limit and without insurance on the A90 Fraserburgh to Peterhead road, on May 9.

Forman, 33, whose address was given in court papers as 4 Albert Street, Fraserburgh, was banned for 15 months and fined £650.