Courts in Moray: Drunken car trip from Aberlour to Rothes
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A motorist has lost his licence for a second time after he drove between Aberlour and Rothes while drunk.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that, at 9pm on July 25 last year, a witness was driving past the Walkers factory when they became aware of a white van being driven very close behind them.
The van swerved onto the other side of the road on more than one occasion.
Later, while overtaking on the Craigellachie road bridge, it twice clipped the kerb.
It was also seen overtaking on a blind bend.
In Rothes the van stopped at the traffic lights but, on taking off again, forced another vehicle to make an emergency stop.
Fiscal depute Karen Poke stated that the police were alerted by several witnesses.
Officers called at the home of Thomas Anderson in New Street, Rothes, that same night.
Ms Poke said: "He came to the door but was not co-operative."
The 38-year-old struggled with officers. They then attempted to handcuff him and eventually succeeded.
When breathalysed at Elgin police station Anderson gave a reading of 92 – the legal limit is 22.
Defence solicitor David Paterson stated the reason why his client had struggled so much was that he was half-dressed when the police called.
Mr Paterson added: "He wanted to get dressed properly because he knew he was going to be arrested."
The lawyer stated his client had made a "poor decision" to drive on the day of the offence.
He added that Anderson had been unemployed at the time, but was now in full-time work and no longer drinks at all.
The court heard that the defendant's previous driving ban dated back nine years to 2013.
Anderson admitted one charge of resisting arrest and another of drink driving.
In addition he pleaded guilty to tailgating another vehicle, repeatedly hitting the kerb and crossing onto the other side of the road, overtaking on a blind bend and causing another vehicle to take evasive action.
Sheriff Robert McDonald imposed a fresh 55-month ban.
In addition, he fined Anderson a total of £1875.
