Courts in Moray: Motorhome driver blames medication for being five times the limit on A96 near Elgin

A drink driver is claiming that medication he takes for his health problems may have caused him to be five times over the limit.

Yoan Chereau, a French national, was breathalysed following an incident near Elgin involving his motorhome.

Police arrived at the scene at 5.15pm on November 3.

They found the 43-year-old parked at the side of the road just off the A96.

Speaking at Elgin Sheriff Court, fiscal depute Karen Poke said: "The accused told officers he had drunk two bottles of wine the night before, but hadn't drunk any alcohol on the day of the incident."

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov voiced doubt as to how, if that was really the case, Chereau could still be five times the legal limit so long afterwards.

Defence solicitor Stephen Carty replied: "His doctor in France has advised him he could possibly have been affected by the medication he was taking in that it will take his body longer to rid itself of alcohol."

Sheriff Pasportnikov questioned why Chereau didn't feel the physical effects of so much alcohol still being in his system.

Mr Carty argued that the alcohol would have also reduced his ability to realise that something was wrong.

The court heard that Chereau has been living in the motorhome while in Moray.

It was stated that he's now due to go back to France at the end of February in order to undergo surgery.

Sheriff Pasportnikov adjourned the case to obtain more information about the medication and its effects.

She banned Chereau from driving in the interim.