A suspected drink-driver was found staggering around a city centre takeaway before refusing to comply with a breath test.
William Cassidy was reported to police by a concerned security guard at an Aberdeen city centre nightspot, who saw him drive off in an apparently “intoxicated” state.
Officers made a search and discovered the 33-year-old within a nearby takeaway unsteady on his feet and smelling strongly of alcohol.
However, when officers tried to carry out a breath test, Cassidy did not cooperate.
‘He was unsteady on his feet, stumbling’
Fiscal depute Anne MacDonald told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around 11.50pm on October 8 2022.
She said: “A couple of police officers on mobile patrol were flagged down by a security guard and he was concerned because he said an intoxicated male had driven off towards Justice Mill Lane.
“The police alerted their CCTV colleagues and, a short time later, the accused was traced in a nearby takeaway.
“He was unsteady on his feet, stumbling, and there was a strong smell of alcohol coming from him.”
‘His objection to the process was that he’d just recently finished drinking’
Ms MacDonald said police then tried to move on to the breathalysing procedure “without the cooperation, unfortunately, of the accused”.
Cassidy, of Wallfield Place, Aberdeen, pled guilty to failing to supply two specimens of breath for analysis.
Defence agent Graham Morrison said: “He accepts that he would have been over the limit when spoken to by the police.
“His objection to the process was that he’d just recently finished drinking.
“It’s not a very good reason.”
The Crown had made a motion for forfeiture of the vehicle, but Mr Morrison said: “The vehicle is long gone. He sold it.
“He’s currently disqualified so he had no reason to keep it.”
Sheriff Rhona Wark fined Cassidy £790.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.
