Drink-driver caught with Tennent’s Lager can in car by police

ADRINK-DRIVER was caught with a Tennent’s Lager can in his car when stopped by police. Steven Venuti, 41, was asked to pull over when driving his Volkswagen Golf on Burnhill Street on February 10, 2019.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, procurator fiscal depute Victoria Keel said: “The driver stopped, got out and identified himself as the accused.

“Officers noted that during this time he was acting nervously. Officers observed an open can of Tennent’s

Lager at the passenger footwell of the car and noted a strong smell of alcohol coming from the accused. He was asked when he last had a drink and he stated, ‘over an hour ago’. He was thereafter asked to provide specimens of breaths. He was arrested and conveyed to Cathcart police office.”

Venuti was found to be driving more than four times the legal limit. Court papers stated that there were 97 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit in Scotland is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

The court heard that Venuti, of Rutherglen, had two previous convictions for drink driving in 2007.

His lawyer said: “He has an extremely good work ethic. He has always worked since he left school. The offence is bordering custody, but I would ask you to deal with this by a heavily loaded community payback order instead.”

Sheriff Diana McConnell told Venuti: “With the high reading and two previous drink-drive convictions, it’s a matter that does meet the custody threshold. You have a bad record which includes a number of other driving offences. You received a prison sentence for one. However, there is a viable alternative.”

He was placed under social work supervision for 12 months, ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, and banned from driving for 32 months.

Man found to be four times the legal limit