German baron to face trial over bizarre drink-driving charge

Aristocrat accused of driving motorised bicycle along St Andrews streets while three times over limit

A German aristocrat is to stand trial accused of driving a motorised bicycle through the streets of St Andrews while almost three times the drink drive limit.

Florian von Gemmingen-Hornberg – who is listed as a baron on German genealogical websites and whose family history dates back to the middle ages – faces a bizarre charge over an incident in the Fife town on April 9.

Gemmingen-Hornberg, who is studying a masters in economics and philosophy at the town’s university, is alleged to have driven an “unregistered motor vehicle” – understood to be a bicycle adapted to run with a motor – in City Road.

Prosecutors say he had 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 22.

Von Gemmingen-Hornberg is also alleged to have had no insurance and not to have been wearing a protective helmet at the time of the incident.

The 20-year-old, of Market Street, St Andrews, denied three charges on summary complaint at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Defence solicitor Ryan Sloan said: “The accused is not present.

“He is a young man presently studying at university who hopes to move into the world of finance.

“He is currently working as an intern at Oman Development Bank.

“He doesn’t return to the UK until August.”

Depute fiscal Joanne Smith said: “There is a joint motion to adjourn the trial due to witness difficulties.”

Sheriff George Way set a trial date in October and ordered von Gemmingen-Hornberg to appear at a pre-trial hearing in September.

“Heisa young man presently studying at university who hopes to move into the world of finance. He is currently working as an intern at Oman Development Bank