The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Former pop star drunk in charge of scooter is banned
Court: Joe, 73, grateful however as no licence needed for mobility vehicle
A former pop star was banned from the road for a year yesterday after he was caught drunk in charge of his mobility scooter.
Joe “String fellow” Harvey, former singer with one hit wonders Hedge hoppers Anonymous, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday to hear his punishment.
But ironically, the yearlong road ban will not have much impact on Mr Harvey – because his scooter does need a driving licence.
Mr Harvey, 73, who now suffers from a variety of health issues and relies on his mobility scooter to get around, said yesterday: “It was music tomy ears when I discovered I would still be able to drive my scooter.
“I haven’t had a drink since and have changed my scooter to a much smaller one now so it won’t happen again.
“I wasn’t drunk. I only had a couple of pints but obviously I was over the legal limit.”
Mr Harvey, who was breathless just walking the few yards into the dock of Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday, said: “I couldn’t give a breath test so the police had to take blood from me.
“This has been hanging over my head for over a year now and I am relieved it is all over. The sheriff was very kind to me by not fining mea nything as I live on benefits now.”
Hedgehoppers Anonymous had a number 5 hit with “It’s Good News Week” in 1965.
Mr Harvey fell foul of the law last July after drinking a couple of pints and travelling down Telford Street in Inverness for a few yards.
He had been crossing the road to mount the opposite pavement on his way to his Balnacraig Road home.
Some pedestrians were blocking hisway at the lowered kerb so Joe indicated to turn right to travel further down the road where there was another lowered kerb.
Concerned he was a drunk driver, members of the public reported Joe to police and when officers caught up with him, he was twice the legal alcohol limit.
“The sheriff was very kind to me by not fining me anything as I live on benefits”
His defence lawyer Marc Dickson said: “He only travelled a short distance on the public road because his way on to the pavement was blocked by some pedestrians.
“But he does not require a licence to drive the scooter. However he has to observe the Highway Code and road traffic law.”
Banning Harvey for 12 months and imposing no financial penalty, Sheriff Peter Grant- Hutchison said: “The statutory oneyear ban has no practical effect but the legislation requires me to impose a disqualification.”