Courts in Moray: Driving ban for piano teacher stopped on A96
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A piano teacher from Moray has been banned from driving after he tested positive for cannabis.
Andrew Thorburn was originally stopped by police after they clocked him going above the speed limit on the A96 Forres bypass during the evening of May 9 last year.
The officers first gave the 73-year-old a roadside breath test then, when this showed positive, escorted him to the station.
An official test an hour later recorded a reading of 58.
According to the law any reading above 40 hampers the ability to drive.
The pensioner, whose address was given in court papers as Pluscarden, pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence.
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty stated that his client took cannabis for medical reasons.
The lawyer added: “He felt he was fine and fit to drive but in terms of the legislation that wasn’t the case.
“He’s someone who would never normally come before the courts.
“I’d ask for his previous good behaviour and the lack of any previous road traffic convictions to be taken into account.”
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov imposed a 12-month driving ban and a £640 fine.
