An Aboyne man crashed into a school bus full of almost two dozen “screaming” children while drink-driving for a FOURTH time despite previously completing a court-ordered rehabilitation scheme.
Richard Davidson, 25, already had three convictions for the same offence when he returned to Aberdeen Sheriff Court to admit to his latest law-breaking.
The serial offender had been out drinking the night before his white Ford Fiesta rear-ended the bus carrying Crathes Primary School pupils on the A93.
It happened at 8.30am on April 30 this year, between Crathes and Drumoak.
Fortunately, all 23 children on board the bus were unharmed, but they were all left shaken by the incident.
‘All the children were screaming’
Fiscal depute Lindsay Shields said the single-decker had indicated to turn into the Myrebird junction on the A93 Aberdeen to Crathes road, when its driver realised a car had slammed into the back of the bus.
“All the children were screaming,” Mr Shields revealed. “He observed in his mirror a white car on the grass verge, facing the opposite direction.”
Another driver who was behind Davidson’s Fiesta saw him go into the back of the bus, explaining it had spun around and come to rest on the verge.
The bus driver contacted the police, and Davidson was required to give a roadside breath test.
He gave a reading of 66mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22mcg.
“Davidson suffered a laceration to his finger,” the prosecutor told the court. “None of the children were harmed.”
A replacement bus took all the children to school.
Davidson, who was charged with drink-driving, rather than careless or dangerous driving, was said to be feeling remorseful and “glad no children had been harmed”.
Court hears Davidson is a ‘deeply troubled’ uni dropout and his parents’ ‘love is being tested’
His defence agent, Gregor Kelly, said his client understood his fortunate position and explained he had been on a work night out the evening before the accident.
“He had left at around 11.30pm and had got up at 7am the next day, having consumed alcohol the night before. He was still over the legal limit,” Mr Kelly explained.
“Mr Davidson is a deeply troubled young man. He dropped out of university during Covid. He was studying accountancy, and is also a very talented artist.
“He now stays at home with his parents and resorts to alcohol … The court will be bearing in mind a custodial sentence, given what transpired.
“He is now looking for alternative accommodation as his parents, who have been led a merry dance, say their love and support is being tested.
“You will be aware that other convictions have involved his parents.”
Serial drink-driver had previously joined a rehabilitation scheme
The court heard Davidson’s previous drink-driving convictions dated back to 2019 and 2021.
Sentencing the habitual criminal, Sheriff Morag McLaughlan said the best way to deal with him would be a supervision order.
“That is the best way to reduce the risk to the community,” the sheriff remarked.
She imposed a community payback order with supervision for 18 months and ordered Davidson to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
Davidson, whose address was given as Birse, Aboyne, was also disqualified from driving for five years.
He was not considered eligible for a drink-driving rehabilitation scheme because he had already completed it.
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