Former instructor fell asleep at the wheel

A FORMER driving instructor who fell asleep at the wheel after an appointment to fit a new leg has been fined £ 300.

Gordon Cowan Cruikshank, 68, of 35 Lochnell Road, Dunbeg, admitted driving carelessly on August 10, when he fell asleep while driving his vehicle on the A85 near Taynuilt, causing it to enter a ditch.

Procurator fiscal Alasdair Shaw told Oban Sheriff Court on Wednesday February 1 that ‘the accused was driving at 30 to 35mph [and] was not injured’.

Defence agent Edward Thornton said Cruikshank had ‘an excellent driving history’ since 1968, and had worked as a driving instructor. ‘He lost his leg in an accident where he was the innocent victim,’ he added.

Mr Thornton explained Cruikshank was due to get a new leg and was driving back from an appointment at a hospital in Glasgow when he began to feel tired at Bridge of Awe, and intended to pull in.

‘The next recollection he had was he was in the ditch,’ said Mr Thornton.

Sentencing, Sheriff Ruth Anderson said: ‘It is an unfortunate incident against an exemplary driving licence.’

She fined Cruikshank £ 300 and imposed six penalty points.