A serial drink-driver has been banned from the roads yet again after he was caught at more than five times the limit with a child in the car.
Steven Small, 32, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted driving his white Mercedes-Benz in Aberdeen while “significantly” over the alcohol limit.
When police stopped Small in the Rubislaw area of the city they also found he had a child in the car.
Upon being tested it was discovered he was more than five times the legal drink-drive limit.
The court also heard Small had three previous convictions for drink-driving.
Police saw child in the car
Fiscal depute Tom Procter told the court that at around 7.15pm on April 16 this year police officers were on mobile patrol when Small’s car came to their attention due to the manner of his driving on North Anderson Drive.
“It seemed to be veering from side to side as it reached the bends in the road,” he said.
“Police stopped the vehicle and they saw within the car there was a young child.
“The accused seemed to be stumbling when he exited the vehicle and a roadside breath test showed he was over the limit.”
When breathalysed Small gave a reading of 119 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22mcg.
He was also found to have no policy of insurance for the Mercedes-Benz.
After being arrested, Mr Procter told the court that Small “became aggressive and argumentative” with police.
He then told an officer: “I’m about this close to punching you in the face.”
Small pleaded guilty to one charge of driving while over the legal limit of alcohol and a second charge of driving without insurance.
He also admitted an additional charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards police officers.
‘A gross error in judgment’
Defence agent Charles Benzies told the court that his client “realised the gravity of the situation” he is in.
“He has a serious issue with alcohol and he is addressing the problem,” he said.
“It seems this was a gross error in judgment, especially given there was a child with him.”
Sheriff Lesley Johnston told Small: “You have three previous convictions for driving while under the influence of alcohol and you were significantly over the limit on this occasion.
“In light of your record, these offences could easily pass the threshold for a custodial sentence.”
Sheriff Johnston sentenced Small, of Girdleness Road, Aberdeen, to a community payback order with supervision for 24 months and ordered him to carry out 175 hours of unpaid work.
She also disqualified Small from driving for three years.
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