Banned drink-driver wants his licence restored early

A drink-driver who was banned from the road for five years after recording what a sheriff called “one of the highest readings this court has ever seen” has applied to have his licence restored.

Edward Boinski admitted being behind the wheel in Motherwell Street, Airdrie, with a breath alcohol reading of 189 microgrammes – more than eightand-a-half times the current legal limit of 22, and almost six times the-then limit of 35 – back on July 6, 2013.

When handing down Boinksi’s sentence at Airdrie Sheriff Court a month later, Sheriff Robert Dickson told the 33-year-old: “In the course of 27 years of sitting here as a sheriff I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody have as high a figure as this.

“How you actually survived that, I’m not sure, but it does clearly indicate that you have a very major alcohol problem and unless it’s tackled you’re going to kill yourself.

“The danger is that you’re going to kill somebody else when you’re as drunk as that.”

Boinski, of South Commonhead Avenue in Airdrie, was sentenced to a community payback order of three years’ supervision and 200 hours’ unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for five years.

During his initial sentencing, defence solicitor Brian Mohan spoke on Boinski’s behalf: “The level of the reading is significant.

“This was a short distance from his home and fortunately didn’t involve another person or vehicle.

“He hasn’t previously appeared before the court but has spoken in some detail about how his life has been blighted by alcohol during the course of his twenties.

“Friendships and his employment have suffered as a result of this and he knows the loss of his licence is inevitable.”

Just over three years into his five-year driving ban, Boinski returned to the dock with an application to have his licence restored.

However, presiding sheriff, Petra Collins, continued proceedings until November 9 to allow for a police report to become available.