A man found in a crashed car near Newtonmore was more than four times over the drink-drive limit, Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
James Peterson, 50, was told he was “very lucky to still be alive” – and lucky not to have killed anyone else through his actions.
He was banned from driving for four years and was also ordered to carry out unpaid work and an alcohol awareness course.
Peterson, of 34 Clune Terrace, Newtonmore, pleaded guilty to drink-driving on the A86 Laggan road at Newtonmore on January 9 this year.
Depute fiscal Stewart Maciver told the court the accident happened at 6.40pm, when a resident heard the “sound of an accident” and went outside.
A car was found off the road with Peterson trapped inside it.
Mr Maciver said: “The various emergency services were called and the accused was helped from the vehicle.
“Police officers talked with him and it was confirmed that he was the driver.”
Peterson was taken to Raigmore where blood samples were taken about 10.30pm, nearly four hours after the accident.
The samples found Peterson was more than four times over the limit.
Defence agent Rory Gowans said his client had been in regular work as a fisherman but lost his employment as a result of the incident.
Mr Gowans said Peterson had no intention of driving again and had accepted he has a problem with alcohol.
The solicitor said: “He had received two text messages from a long-term girlfriend, basically informing him that the relationship was over.
“He decided to hit the bottle for want of a better expression, and in the course of that decided to drive to talk to her.”
Peterson had a previous conviction for drink-driving.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson banned Peterson from driving for four years, ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, placed him under supervision for one year and also instructed him to complete an alcohol treatment course.
She said: “You are very lucky you are not appearing in a higher court with much more serious charges.
“It is by sheer luck that you didn’t kill anyone or yourself.”
