Highland A9 drink driver escapes prison term
A Tain man escaped a prison sentence when he appeared on his second drink driving charge at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Ian Macdonald, (60), of St Vincent Road admitted driving with excess alcohol on the A9 between Lynemore junction and the B8551 junction bt Tomatin on September 24 with a reading of 123mcgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath - more than five times the legal limit of 22mcgs.
Depute fiscal Stewart Maciver said police were on mobile patrol and saw Macdonald’s vehicle being driven erratically at 4.40pm and he was stopped.
Macdonald had a previous conviction in 2007 for drink driving.
His solicitor Aileen Macinnes said the father of two was very remorseful and had sought help for his problem with alcohol and had now stopped drinking.
She said he never intends to drive again and has no need to drive.
"He is aware the court could consider a custodial sentence today," she added.
Sheriff Fleetwood ordered Macdonald to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and disqualified him from driving for five years.