Alness man who spent months in coma following brain injury should not have been driving, court is told

An Alness man who suffered a significant brain injury several years ago can't explain why he drives although he is disqualified, his lawyer told a court.

Defence solicitor Rory Gowans asked Sheriff David Sutherland not to jail 38-year-old Christopher Murray, who had already served a prison sentence for driving while banned in 2019, so he could get psychiatric help in the community.

Sheriff Sutherland then agreed to free Murray, who had been on remand since last month after admitting the August 23, 2021, offence which occurred on the A832 on Black Isle Road, Muir of Ord.

Instead, he ordered Murray to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work, placed him on two years' social work supervision and required him to get mental health and psychiatric help in a community payback order.

Fiscal depute Catriona Steele told the court that Murray, of Westford, Alness, who also pleaded guilty to the associated driving without insurance, had come to the attention of police because he was driving a car without any licence plates.

A check on the police computer revealed he should not have been driving. He admitted several similar previous convictions to the court.

Mr Gowans said: "He had a significant brain injury many years ago and was in a coma for six months. He had to re-learn everything. This was an impulsive decision to take a car in poor condition to a scrap yard only half a mile away.

"He can't really explain why he did it and targeted intervention may assist him. But given his record, he could be sent to prison today. However there is a potential solution. He accepts he was the author of his own misfortune."