Driving ban after crash with parked cars

A man has lost his driving licence and is now the subject of a community payback order after an incident which began at his home in Tayinloan.

On November 1 last year, James David Gibbs behaved aggressively towards his partner at their home, and then drove away dangerously, hitting two parked cars, while unfit due to drink or drugs.

The 41-year-old, who lives at Cara View, admitted the offences when he appeared before Campbeltown Sheriff Court on Thursday.

James Dunbar, procurator fiscal depute, said that an incident occurred at the house when Gibbs was aggressive and threatened his partner with violence.

He left the home and drove off in his employer’s van, striking two parked cars as he did so. Police stopped him at Tarbert and, concerned for his health, he was taken to hospital in Lochgilphead.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes had called for reports to be prepared on Gibbs at an earlier hearing.

Gibbs’ defence agent, Ruben Murdanaigum, told the sheriff: ‘He takes full responsibility for, and does not minimise, what he has done and is completely ashamed.’

Sheriff Hughes placed Gibbs on a community payback order for 12 months, during which he must engage with social workers on his rehabilitation to make sure there is no reoccurrence of his actions, and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within 18 months.

He was also given two 12-month driving disqualifications which will run concurrently.