Four-times-the limit driver's costly smoke

Faces a fine and a ban and could lose car and job

POPPING out for a packet of cigarettes proved to be a costly mistake for a Wick man.
For Alan Stubbings took his car and was found to be more than four times the legal drinks driving limit after being stopped by police Wick Sheriff Court heard today when a background report was called for.
Stubbings, 43, now faces a minimum one-year ban and a fine and could lose his car under current legislation which gives courts power to confiscate vehicles where the breath-alcohol levels are exceptionally high.
The accused appeared from custody today and admitted driving with excess alcohol. Police stopped him in Thurso Road, Wick, about 9pm, on Sunday due to the way he was driving. Stubbings smelled strongly of drink, his speech was slurred and officers described him as “well intoxicated”.
David Barclay, prosecuting, said that the accused told the police that he realised he had made “a stupid mistake”. Subsequent tests revealed a reading of 157 micrograms – the legal limit is 35mgs.
Solictior Fiona MacDonald said that Stubbings’ decision to drive, had “turned out to be a very expensive packet of cigarettes”. The accused, a first offender, who had been drinking at his home at 61 Roxburgh Road, Wick, expects to lose his job as a driver.
Sheriff Andrew Berry called for a background report in light of what he described as “the exceptionally high reading.”
He impounded Stubbings’ £3000 Ford Focus said to be jointly owned by the accused and his brother and will rule on the question of forfeiture when passing sentence on March 21.