Driver collided with cars after drinking

A MULL driver has been banned for 20 months and fined more than £1,000 for driving while three times over the alcohol limit, colliding with two parked cars and then lying to the police.

James William Boa, 23, of Antium Farm, Glen Road, Dervaig, pleaded guilty to driving a car without due care and attention, while measuring 75mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath where the drink- driving limit is 22mg, on Tobermory’s Main Street on the night of February 12.

Procurator fiscal Eoin McGinty told Oban Sheriff Court on Monday June 19 that police received reports of the collisions and that the driver had fled the scene. Boa also called the police to say he had hit a parked car.

‘The accused said he had had a couple of drinks and gone home,’ Mr McGinty said. Boa later advised police he was staying in a local hotel, where they found ‘the front of the accused’s car completely caved in’. All three cars had ‘extensive damage’.

‘His reply was he was driving the vehicle but not drinking.’ He failed a breath test, but said he had consumed the alcohol after the incident. Mr McGinty added: ‘He was seen to leave the pub, throw-up on the street, wipe his mouth and then get in the car.’

Defence agent William Mackay said: ‘It was an act of gross stupidity, and he is going to pay a penalty. He decided to drive home, which clearly was not wise. He did at least telephone [the police], even if he was trying to cover his tracks.’

Sheriff Ruth Anderson said: ‘He called them and told them lies.’ She disqualified Boa from driving for 20 months and fined him £1,080.