Camping row led to drink driver being caught near Tomatin
A camping trip on the River Findhorn ended with a Kiltarlity man being convicted for drink driving for a second time.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that police officers attended when Donald Cameron’s vehicle left the Garbole Road.
He had a breath alcohol reading of 55mcgs per 100mls of breath - more than twice the legal limit of 22mcgs.
Sheriff Gill Sukhwinder heard Cameron already had previous convictions for drink driving and failing to provide a sample of breath.
Cameron (35), of Allarburn Drive, admitted drink driving on August 8, last year.
Depute fiscal Stewart Maciver said Cameron and his partner had been camping and fishing on the River Findhorn near Tomatin and there had been some sort of argument and they decided to move on.
Unfortunately he said at some point the car left the road and police made their way to the scene about 4.30pm.
Marc Dickson, solicitor, said Cameron was a machine operator and his licence was essential for his work.
He said the couple were intending to camp there in the evening and there was no intention to drive and during the course of the day they had something to eat and did some fishing.
He said: "A disagreement arose because of the location where they pitched the tent and they took the decision to move."
Mr Dickson said it was a rural location on a single track road and the police drove for six miles without passing any other vehicles.
"The car was his partner’s. She didn’t feel well and he elected to move the vehicle. He hadn’t thought matters through."
Sheriff Sukhwinder noted Cameron had eight previous convictions and many were for road traffic offences.
She fined him £450 and disqualified him from driving for three years.
