Nutini denies booze charges
PAOLO Nutini is to stand trial for alleged drink-driving offences.
The singer appeared yesterday at Paisley Sheriff Court, where he confirmed he would fight the charges.
His lawyer Massimo Franchi told prosecutors the entertainer is pleading not guilty to the allegations.
The star, who has had three platinum albums, denies he broke Section 5(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 when driving along Paisley’s Maxwellton Street, Canal Street and High Road.
Prosecutors claim he had 48microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath – more than double the 22mg legal limit – while driving a Mini Cooper S three-door hatchback.
The singer was stopped while driving through his home town on January 21 by police and later charged with drink-driving offences.
Franchi said: “I’m instructed to appear on behalf of Paolo Nutini who pleads not guilty.
“I have spoken to the Crown in relation to this matter – they know what the specific defence is in this case.
“He travels frequently outwith Scotland and the UK not only for work but also he does a huge amount of work for charity.
“In Scotland and the UK, he does an endless amount of work for charity.
“He will be in regular contact with me throughout the entire process. If anything changes, as an officer of court, I would invite him to attend.”
Fiscal depute Margaret McCallum said the Crown were noting his plea and set down the matter for trial.
Nutini’s case will be heard in June at a trial and he will also have to appear at an earlier hearing in May to make sure matters are ready to proceed.
Sheriff Derek Hamilton ordered Nutini to appear at both hearings. He said: “You are being given dates to appear at court and you will be required to attend the intermediate diet and the trial diet. You are ordained to appear on both dates.”
Nutini confirmed he understood the instructions and left the court accompanied by his lawyer.
The former busker, whose family own a fish and chip shop in Paisley, has enjoyed huge musical success, with his last two albums going to No1.