A Montrose man who gave a fake name to police when he was stopped for drink-driving has been spared jail.
William Rose, whose address was given as the traveller site St Christopher’s Caravan Park, was warned that his crimes could have landed him time behind bars at Banff Sheriff Court on Wednesday, when it was revealed this was his second drink-driving conviction.
The 21-year-old, who was described as a roofer by his solicitor during the hearing, will instead pay a £1,040 fine.
Bank card revealed truth
Fiscal depute Anne Mann told the court that Rose had been pulled over by police in his Citreon Berlingo at about 1am on February 9 this year, with officers noting he had dilated pupils.
“He provided his name as Andrew Rose,” she added.
“During a search of his person, his bank card was found with his correct name on it.”
He was then taken to the local station from Crook O’Ness Street, where he would blow a reading of 93mg of alcohol per litre of breath – more than four times over the legal limit.
Stuart Beveridge, Rose’s solicitor, said his client had started drinking because of an argument with his new wife.
He described it as “so bad” that, when she left their home, Rose thought the relationship was over.
“He then decides to go out in his car,” he added.
“He accepts he gave them the wrong name initially, my lord. He panicked, realising he would be in trouble.”
A precarious position
Sheriff Robert McDonald, presiding over the case, said Rose could have been sent to jail.
“You find yourself in a precarious position, because not only is this a second conviction for drink-driving but also you’ve now got a conviction for a very serious crime of perverting the course of justice,” he said.
“That’s the sort of thing that gets you a jail sentence.”
He added, however, that he was “willing” to deal with the case alternatively.
In addition to his fine, which Rose will pay back at the rate of £100 per month, he will also be banned from driving for 40 months.