Over-the-limit driver hit Islay bridge wall

A Bathgate man who was working on Islay was found guilty of drink-driving at the February sitting of Campbeltown Sheriff Court.

Stuart Grant Drummond, aged 34, of Heathervale Walk, denied the offence.

During his trial, procurator fiscal depute Claire O’Hagan said that Drummond gave a blood sample after his work van collided with the bridge on the A846, Bridgend, Islay.

This had a reading of 184 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood; the limit is 80mg.

A police officer said that when she arrived at the scene, the van had already been towed to a nearby car park as it had been blocking the road. When an ambulance arrived, Drummond was checked over and then given the roadside breath test.

“I was surprised by the test; he hadn’t presented as being under the influence,” said the police officer who carried out the test.

She added that “half the wall was missing” at the scene of the single vehicle crash which happened on November 8 2020.

At Bowmore Police Station, Drummond gave a blood sample as the station breath-test equipment was broken.

Defence agent John MacKay submitted that it had not been proved that Drummond had been driving; Sheriff Patrick Hughes dismissed this.

“He was not driving the vehicle; there is no evidence that he was in the vehicle at the time.

“The evidence is thin in its narrative,” said the agent, adding: “The charge refers to a motor car, it was a van.

“There is reasonable doubt as to the quality of evidence here.”

Drummond did not give evidence in his own defence.

Sheriff Hughes found Drummond guilty and fined him £300 plus a victim surcharge of £20 with a driving disqualification of 12 months which can be reduced to nine if Drummond is considered suitable to undertake and successfully pass a driver rehabilitation course at his own expense.