Chef's drug-driving ban

Police became concerned when they came across a car being driven at 10mph in a 30mph limit, the August sitting of Campbeltown Sheriff Court was told.

 

Their suspicions were proved right when the driver subsequently failed a drug-driving test.

 

Alan Stewart Weir, 43, a chef formerly employed in Kintyre, admitted driving on Campbeltown Road, Tarbert, on August 30 last year when unfit through drink or drugs.

 

Weir, who now lives at 4 Taylor Place, Edinburgh, was seen by officers to be acting very slowly, with slurred speech and the pupils of his eyes were very small.

 

He passed the breathalyser test but because of his condition was taken to hospital in Lochgilphead where a blood test later revealed diazepam and cannabis.

 

Defence agent, Stephen MacSporran said that Weir had suffered a relapse back into addiction, but was now drug free.

 

“He experienced a positive change in his life, a local church helped him and he was overwhelmed by their offer of help,” said Mr MacSporran.

 

Sheriff Mark Lindsay KC said he “noted the efforts you have made to turn your life around”.

 

He fined Weir £240 with a victim surcharge of £20 and banned him from driving for 12 months.