Man caught four times over drink drive limit

Jul 8 2010 by Debbie Hall, West Lothian Courier

A FORMER soldier was caught driving while four times over the drink drive limit.

David Thompson was caught on Howden Road in Livingston.

Thompson (45), of Harburn Avenue, Deans, pled guilty to the offence on May 10 this year.

Livingston Sheriff Court heard that Thompson was seen by two members of staff at a BP petrol station at around 3.50pm, and they became concerned he was under the influence of alcohol.

He was trying to fill his vehicle with petrol but was staggering around and slurring his words while talking.

The police were contacted and they stopped his vehicle.

Thomson’s solicitor, Gordon Henderson, said his client had struggled with an alcohol addiction for some time, although it was his first drink driving conviction.

He said his client had served in the Army and served in the Gulf War.

Sheriff Martin Edington put Thompson on probation for nine months, imposed a restriction of liberty order on him and disqualified him from driving for three years.

The sheriff said: “You are someone who appears in this court as a first offender but this is a serious offence.”