Out of work musician told Ross-shire police he swerved to avoid deer in Wester Ross smash
A motorist claimed to police he had smashed his car in Wester Ross after he had swerved to avoid a deer.
But when officers arrived at the scene near Achnashellach on the A890 on February 27 last year, they found the vehicle on its roof and 38-year-old Garry Alexander wandering about the middle of the road.
A subsequent blood test revealed Alexander of Cuiken Terrace, Penicuik was over the drink drive limit, with a reading of 118mcgs when the limit is 50mcgs.
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Defence solicitor Ross Dow told Inverness Sheriff Court: "He was on his way to Achnasheen but visited a friend in Lochcarron. He did not plan to have a drink and took a chance. He is now paying the price.
"He has only had his driving licence for two years and for just four months when this offence took place. The car, valued at £2500 was written off."
Out of work musician Alexander was fined £320 and banned from driving for a year.
However he was deemed suitable by Sheriff Sara Matheson for the drink drive rehabilitation scheme which, if he successfully completes it, will earn him a three-month discount on his disqualification.