Ross-shire crofter who ignored police instruction after car crash is criticised by Highland sheriff
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A ROSS-SHIRE crofter was so concerned about his three working dogs which escaped after he was involved in a car crash that he ignored a police instruction not to leave the scene.
Officers wanted to test him for alcohol which is routine for anyone involved in road traffic incidents but 56-year-old Paul Spencer, of Newton of Ferintosh, Muir of Ord, was anxious to retrieve his animals.
Spencer's Kia vehicle was hit from behind by a Vauxhall Corsa on July 13, 2023 on the A835 at Newton of Ferintosh and, being unhurt, he had been instructed to remain there while officers checked the other motorist.
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However Inverness Sheriff Court heard he drove 300 yards to his holding and another police unit had to be called in to locate him.
Fiscal depute Adele Gray told Sheriff Gary Aitken: "He was found walking in a field but then he laid down with his arms in the air complaining of chest pains, saying it was due to his asthma.
"But he recovered and got up when he was required to provide the breath specimen. He refused saying he was asthmatic," Mrs Gray said.
The prosecutor said Spencer later gave two breath specimens without issue and both proved negative for alcohol.
Defence solicitor Duncan Burd said his client was a crofter with livestock in remote areas.
"He had his working dogs in the car, they alighted from the vehicle and he was concerned about them. They are valuable animals and vital to him as is his driving licence."
Sheriff Aitken criticised Spencer for his attitude. He said: "He would have saved himself a lot of trouble if he had done what he was told to do and stay where he was. Another police unit had to be called and I am sure they had better things to do."
Spencer, who admitted failing to provide an initial breath sample, was fined £600 and had his licence endorsed with four penalty points.
