Teen drink driver fined

Aug 12 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A YOUTH was caught driving over the legal drink drive limit – after a boozy night out with work colleagues.

A Transit van being driven by Robert Cochrane came to the attention of police around 2am on May 23 this year.

Fiscal depute Graham Fraser told the court the van was being driven in a “fairly erratic” manner and stopped in Sheephousehill, Fauldhouse.

“Officers saw the accused and two other persons in the car,” Mr Fraser said. “When they opened the door there was an immediate and overwhelming smell of alcohol.

“They noted the accused was clearly intoxicated as he was slurring his words and staggered as he exited the vehicle.”

The 19-year-old was subsequently given a roadside breath test and provided a reading of 57 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath — 22mg over the legal limit of 35mg per 100ml.

Cochrane, whose address was given as Sheephousehill, Fauldhouse, pled guilty to drink driving.

His solicitor, Kevin Dugan, told the court his client was over from Northern Ireland to work on the new railway station at Bathgate.

“On the day in question they had all worked an extra shift. After work Mr Cochrane and the other two men had all had a few drinks,” Mr Dugan said.

“When they all left the public house he was asked to drive them home as they considered he was in the best state to drive.

“He thought he hadn’t much say in the matter. On reflection, he should have said he wasn’t going to drive and got a taxi.”

Fining him £300 and disqualifying him from driving for a year, Sheriff Graeme Warner, rejecting the rehabilitation scheme, said: “I think all of us know that if we drink too much we should not drive.”