Drink-driver was swerving on Kessock Bridge

A motorist who was swerving his way across the Kessock Bridge stopped after a police car activated its blue lights for a second time.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that 38-year-old warehouse manager Damion Lindsay, of Gray Street, Alexandria had a bottle of Buckfast in his Ford Focus and had injuries to his face.

The roadside breath test on the night of July 9 last year proved positive with a reading of 131mcgs of alcohol in his system when the limit is 22mcgs, fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh told the court.

Lindsay was taken to hospital for treatment and a urine sample was taken which indicated he was almost five times the legal drink-drive limit.

His reading was 329mcgs of alcohol when the limit is 50mcgs and the lower reading is used for a prosecution, fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh told the court.

Defence solicitor Graham Mann told Sheriff Ian Cruickshank: "There is no real excuse for this.

"He made a big mistake. He doesn't drink very often – he was catching up with a friend and things got out of hand.

"There was a fight and he was injured."

Lindsay was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, placed under social work supervision for 18 months and disqualified from driving for 20 months.

But he was certified as suitable for a drink-drive rehabilitation course which he must pay for.

If he successfully completes it, he will earn a five-month discount from his ban.