Drink driver banned for three years and fined £1,000

A MAN who drove with more than three times the legal limit of alcohol was banned from driving for three years and given a £1,000 fine when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Monday.

Shaun Neil Payne, 38, of Keeble Crescent in Bournemouth, Dorset, admitted driving with 112 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath on 22nd June in Lerwick’s North Road.

He denied a separate charge of refusing to provide a breath test, which was accepted by the Crown.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Payne was arrested shortly after 2am on Sunday morning, after having been stopped by police who were concerned by his driving.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Payne was employed as a demolition manager and was here to work on a decommissioning contract.

“It’s clearly a responsible job he has, with 14 men under him, but he is not sure what will happen as a result of his conviction.”

He said Payne, who had a previous driving record, could offer no explanation for the offence.

“He is aware he will be disqualified and most likely for a considerable period,” said Mr Allan.

Sheriff Napier told Payne his three year disqualification could be reduced by nine months if he successfully attended a drink drivers rehabilitation course.