Crash driver just under drink limit

A MOTORIST with a previous drink driving offence was found to have consumed alcohol when he was involved in a collision with a car.

But Ian Hutchinson wasn’t over the legal drink-drive limit on this occasion, Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen heard at Dingwall Sheriff Court.

Hutchinson (59) of Huntly Street, Inverness admitted driving without due care and attention on November 13 last year, crossing the centre line of the A835 Ullapool to Tore Road and colliding with another vehicle causing damage to both cars. His alcohol count was 25mcgs of alcohol per 100 mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Depute Fiscal Stewart Maciver said Hutchinson was coming off the Tore roundabout when the accident happened about 4.30pm on a Saturday afternoon.

Hutchinson had no solicitor representing him and told the Sheriff he had just finished a 14-hour shift, it was a one-off and he had stopped drinking altogether. He said he would lose his job if he lost his licence and needed his car to drive his wife around because she had cancer.

The sheriff said he was taking into account the impact the loss of his licence would have on Hutchinson. He imposed a fine of £350 and nine penalty points.

"You are sitting on the edge," he told him.