What Highland sheriff told Conon Bridge drink-drive care assistant
A SHORT drive to a shop for food landed a Ross-shire care assistant in trouble with the police because he was more than five times the legal drink drive limit when he got behind the wheel.
Christopher Mackenzie of Windsor Place, Conon Bridge was spotted by witnesses encroaching on to the wrong carriageway at 9.20pm on the night of September 7 and was reported to police.
Approximately 17 minutes later, officers traced him to his house, a breath test proved positive and an hour later he gave a reading of 128mcgs of alcohol. The maximum is 22mcgs.
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The 48 year old admitted drunk-driving and his lawyer, Graham Mann, explained to Sheriff Sara Matheson that his client was depressed and drinking heavily due to a marriage split.
He conceded: "This is a very high reading. He drove only a short distance to the shop to buy some food."
Sheriff Matheson fined Mackenzie £420 and banned him from driving for 24 months. But she certified him as suitable for the drink driver rehabilitation course which will earn him a six month deduction if he successfully completes it.
She told Mackenzie: "When you are driving at more than five times the legal limit, it is merciful you didn't kill either yourself or someone else."
