Nutini found not guilty

Singer Paolo Nutini has been found not guilty of drink-driving in his home town.

The 30-year-old was accused of driving under the influence while more than twice the legal limit in Paisley, Renfrewshire, on February 21.

The singer, who had denied the charge, was cleared by a sheriff after a two-day trial at Paisley Sheriff Court.

His defence to the allegation was “postincident drinking”.

PC Laura Murray told the first day of the trial she was called to Canal Street towards midnight on February 21 to a report of a car being driven by someone who had allegedly been drinking.

The car was no longer there when they arrived but they went to an address where they found a grey Mini and Nutini, who they had been told was the driver of the car.

The officer told the court Nutini tested positive for alcohol and was then arrested and taken to Govan police office for a further test.

Nutini told the court he had three vodkas with soda and lime at a pub visit, which ended around 11.50pm, and drove home.

He told how he consumed a large glass of whisky, part of a smaller glass of whisky and some wine at his home with friends before police arrived to breathalyse him.

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew acquitted the musician of the single charge after evidence was led from several witnesses about events on the night in question.