Bus driver could lose job after drink driving on A9, court hears

A bus driver faces being sacked after he was caught driving while he was nearly five times over the legal alcohol limit.

Jince Joy, 40, was swigging from a bottle of brandy before he was seen driving his car on the dual carriageway near Perth.

Fiscal depute Matthew Kerr told Perth Sheriff Court: “He was reported to be driving erratically. A few minutes later, the police traced his vehicle on the verge.

“Police saw the accused climbing from the driver’s seat.

“He made a voluntary admission that he had recently consumed alcohol. A roadside breath test was positive. He was arrested and taken to Perth police HQ.”

Joy, of St Michael’s Yard, Dundee, admitted drink driving in his Dacia Duster on the A9 Perth to Stirling road on February 20.

Solicitor David Duncan, said: “He found himself in Perth awaiting a friend. He had purchased a bottle of brandy earlier in the day, intending to drink it later.

“However, because of certain difficulties he had been experiencing, he decided to drink some of that while waiting for his friend.

“Quite a lot of alcohol was taken in a short space of time.

“It was the anniversary of his father’s death. He very quickly realised the drink he had taken had had an effect on him and when he pulled over he was looking for somewhere to park.

“His guilty plea will have farreaching consequences for him as he is a bus driver.”

Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney said: “This act of stupidity is going to result in the loss of your employment.”

Joy was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £600.