Clubhouse drinks put Elgin golfer over limit
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An amateur golfer had been paying his respects to a deceased friend on the day he was caught drink driving.
Witnesses travelling along Elgin's Birnie Road saw Michael Taylor's vehicle coming in the opposite direction.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that, first, Taylor's car "seemed to wobble".
Then, as it approached the roundabout, the 67-year-old's vehicle hit a road sign.
The witnesses stopped their car, went over and spoke to him through the open window.
One of them said: "You've had a few, haven't you?"
"Maybe I have," Taylor replied.
The police arrived on the scene and administered a roadside breath test at 4pm.
After he failed this, Taylor was taken to Elgin police station where he was given the official test.
This give a reading of 88, compared to the legal limit of 22.
Taylor, whose home address was given in court papers as Avon Walk, Elgin, pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a vehicle.
Defence solicitor Matthew O'Neill stated his client often went for a drink in the clubhouse after a round of golf.
On these occasions, he would leave his vehicle behind and walk the way back home, then return the next day to collect it.
However, July 22 had seen a memorial event at the golf club for a friend of his who had passed away.
This, said Mr O'Neill, had resulted in his client drinking more than usual.
As a result he had then made the "very foolish" decision to drive.
Mr O'Neill added: "He shouldn't have been anywhere near a car. He's deeply ashamed.
"I'm confident he's someone we will not see before the court again."
Taylor was banned from driving for the next 12 months.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood also fined him £640.
