Ban for drinks driving

Punched witness

Driving while more than six times over the limit led to a drinkdriver being banned from the road for three years.

D av i d G a l l a g h e r repeatedly drove into the back of a parked car on Lady Anne Crescent, Airdrie, and when the driver of the other vehicle tried to stop him from getting behind the wheel again he repaid him by punching him on the head.

The 36- year- old, of Kilitarie Crescent in Airdrie, had 137 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the limit being 22 microgrammes – and also drove at excessive speed during the incident on May 14.

Gallagher pleaded guilty to his dangerous driving and during his return to Airdrie Sheriff Court for sentencing last week, the procurator fiscal said: “It was 1.20pm and the witnesses saw the accused’s vehicle appearing at the rear and it struck the car.

“The complainer saw the accused was under the influence of alcohol and the accused tried to drive away, but again drove into the back of the complainer’s vehicle.

“The witnesses took the key out of the ignition of the accused’s car and he punched one of the men to the side of his face.

“Police attended and he was arrested and taken to Coatbridge police office.”

Sheriff Morag Galbraith told Gallagher: “Instead of going to prison, I will impose a community payback order with 18 months’ supervision with alcohol counselling.

“You will also carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work, within the next six months, and are disqualified from driving for three years.”