Second offence earns accused three-years ban

A YOUNG Northumberland driver, who recorded his second drinks-driving offence, escaped a prison sentence yesterday.
Michael Wilson, 24, was disqualified for three years and ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid community work.
He admitted driving with excess alcohol in Wick, on April 30.
Wick Sheriff Court heard that police were dealing with a road accident in the town's Francis Street when they heard Wilson approach at speed in his Peugeot 206 GTi and flagged him down.
The officers had spotted him in a local pub earlier and required him to take a roadside breath-test which proved positive. A further test at Wick police station provided a reading of 72 mgs - the legal limit is 22 mgs
Wilson, of Thornebury, Alnmouth Road, Alnwick, was said to have bought the car on the day-in-question when he was in Wick on business.
Sheriff Andrew Berry said it was a serious matter and he would have been entitled to jail Wilson, given it was his second drinks driving offence.
The sheriff rejected a motion by fiscal Fraser Matheson, for the forfeiture of the car, worth £600, on the basis that's its disposal would involve the authorities in "more trouble than it was worth."