Skye man who went for drinks with boss in Inverness abandoned car in Maryburgh

AN Isle of Skye man who went drinking in Inverness with his boss abandoned his car in the middle of a busy road near Maryburgh without any lights left on to alert other motorists of the hazard.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that two police motorcyclists were on their way back to Dingwall along the A835 near Maryburgh on March 1 this year when they came across the Audi A4 with the keys still in the ignition.

Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood said that the driver, 26-year-old Joseph Stewart of Old School Square Harrapool, Broadford, was later traced and charged with drunk driving and causing the risk of a collision and injury by leaving the car in the middle of a road.

He admitted having 53mcgs of alcohol in his system when the legal limit is 22mcgs and pleaded guilty to the other offence.

Defending, Roger Webb told Sheriff Gary Aitken: "He has messed up his life but is the author of his own misfortune. He went to Inverness for a drink with his employer and was on his way back."

Stewart was fined £640 but as he is currently serving a prison sentence for another offence, Sheriff Aitken gave no time to pay and the alternative of 28 days was imposed.

Stewart was also banned from driving for a year but was certified as suitable for the drink driver rehabilitation course, which, is he successfully completes it, will earn him a three month discount on the ban.