A drunk motorist’s driving was described as “shocking” by a Sheriff who heard how he staggered out of a hotel and drove the wrong way along a dual carriageway.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson then repeated her “shocking” comment” when she read Brandon Richard’s record of previous convictions which showed he had only been disqualified from driving a few weeks earlier.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday that 39 year old Richards of Kenn Road, Clevedon, Somerset was too drunk to take a breath test.
Now Richards, who admitted driving dangerously, while disqualified and also while unfit through drink faces jail when he returns to court for sentencing next month on September 22.
Fiscal depute David Morton told the court that Richards was seen on CCTV “staggering” in the car park at the Stoneyfield Travelodge getting into a VW van drunk late at night on March 5.
“An anonymous call was then received by Police Scotland. He was seen by a witness driving the wrong way up the dual carriageway in a northerly direction on the southbound carriageway. The driver had to take evasive action.
“Luckily the road was very quiet at that time. Richards then proceeded on to a sliproad at the Raigmore Interchange where he joined the correct lane and drove towards North Kessock and was stopped by police. He was a disqualified driver and not due to get his licence back until 2018.”
The prosecutor added that Richards was too drunk to give a breath test and a doctor had to be called to confirm he was under the influence.
Sheriff Neilson told defence lawyer Rory Gowans: “He has a shocking record and it’s a shocking piece of driving,”