A drink driver crashed his car while over twice the legal limit

May 19 2011 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A DRINK driver ended up crashing his car while he was over twice the legal limit.

James Munro’s car ended up on its side after he lost control of the vehicle just before 9pm on January 9.

Livingston Sheriff Court heard Munro had stormed out his home on Auldhill Road in Bridgend following an argument with his partner.

“He went towards his car and was seen by his partner going in,” fiscal depute Julia McLaren said.

“She was concerned as the accused had been drinking and she contacted the police.

“He was not found until 8.45pm when a car was seen sitting on its side having been involved in an accident by a member of the public.

“Looking through the broken driver’s window the accused was seen inside sitting on the passenger’s window.

“The accused asked the member of the public if they could open the door. They did and helped the accused out and into their house.

“The police arrived after being called by the witness as the accused’s speech was slurred and he smelled strongly of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet.”

The court heard Munro was taken to hospital after complaining of a sore back and neck.

There the 27-year-old provided a blood sample which was 169 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, over twice the legal limit of 80mg in 100ml of blood

Last week at the court Munro, whose address was given as Auldhill Road, Bridgend, pled guilty to drink driving.

His solicitor, Gerry Whitten, told the court his client was already subject to a probation order.

“The indications are he is doing well in relation to that probation order,” Mr Whitten added.

“He is not able to work at the moment which is a source of frustration to him. He had an injury in July 2010 and he says if anything his back is worse not better.

“I would ask the court to deal with this in a way that doesn’t affect his liberty and the probation order can continue.”

Fining him £300 and banning him for 18 months Sheriff Grahame Fleming said: “You were more than twice the legal limit but I have to take into account your limited income.”