Year’s ban for drinkdriver

A rookie driver who crashed his car into a tree while almost twice the drink-driving limit has been banned for a year.

After Joshua Murray crashed his car in Barrhead, on May I last year, and left himself injured, he was told by his insurers that he’d have to stump up £4,000 if he ever planned to get back behind the wheel.

When he pleaded guilty to the careless and drink-driving offences at Paisley Sheriff Court, his lawyer revealed that the 18-year-old had got rid of his car and “doesn’t expect to be driving again soon”.

He had only passed his test six months earlier when he made the mistake of speeding in Springfield Road, Barrhead, after boozing.

Defence agent Charlie McCusker confirmed his client admitted driving carelessly and at excessive speed, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, leave the carriageway and strike a tree and injure himself.

He also admitted having 95 milligrams of alcohol in his blood when the legal limit is 50.

The lawyer said that Murray had been studying fashion and design at college in Glasgow and was now involved on a different course, studying business.

“He concedes that he was travelling too fast,” Mr McCusker said, “and fortunately no-one else was injured.

“He had only passed his test in November, so he hadn’t been driving too long.

“After learning that the insurance premium will be £4,000, he no longer has the vehicle and does not expect to be driving again soon.”

Sheriff Tom McCartney fined Murray, of Eaglesham, a total of £680, to be paid at £40 per month, and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.