Dunfermline businessman is jailed for road offences

A DUNFERMLINE businessman has been jailed for road traffic offences.

Anthony Lafferty, who runs a roofing firm, failed a roadside breath test then refused to provide samples at the police station. He did not have a valid licence at the time, having been banned.

Lafferty 35, of Halkett Crescent, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on July 3, on the A823 Queensferry Road, Dunfermline, he drove without a valid licence and without insurance.

Then, at Dunfermline police station, he failed to provide breath samples.

The court was told that, at 6.05am, police stopped Lafferty’s vehicle after they saw it being driven erratically.

They could smell alcohol on the breath. He failed a roadside breath test and was arrested.

When taken to the police station, Lafferty refused to give breath samples.

Lafferty had been banned from driving following a previous offence.

Defence solicitor Aime Allan said her client had been at his partner’s where they were having a drink together.

There had been an argument and he decided to leave but could not get a taxi or a relative to take him home.

He then took the “silly decision” to drive home, added the solicitor.

She said her client had his own business and employed 10 people.

As well as being concerned for his employees if he was jailed, he had also taken money from customers in advance of work being done.

“There’s a lot on the line for him with his successful business, his employees and his family,” she said.

Sheriff Paul Reid asked: “Did he not know there was a lot on the line when he got into a car and drove after drinking and without a licence? He was prepared to put that all on the line.”

“He was not thinking clearly at the time,” said Ms Allan.

Sheriff Reid told Lafferty he had an “extensive record of road traffic offending and various disposals have been imposed but have failed to deter further offending”.

He jailed Lafferty for three months and banned him from driving for five years and one-and-a-half months. A fine of £540 was also imposed.