Singer Nutini is cleared of drink-driving despite having three vodkas with soda

Drug dealer admits cup final fight with rival fan

SINGER Paolo Nutini has been found not guilty of drink-driving despite admitting to drinking three vodkas with soda and lime in a pub.

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

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

His defence to the allegation which came after he was stopped by police in the town’s Canal Street was “post-incident drinking”.

He told the court he had gone for a meal with a friend that night and then went the bar at about 9.15pm to watch the end of a football match. He said he had three vodkas with soda and lime over the course of a pub visit, which ended around 11.50pm, and drove home.

He admitted he had been “stupid” and

“wrong” to try to estimate whether he was fit to drive.

Asked about the point when the police took him to the station for further tests, he told the court: “I felt like at that point I’d made the wrong decision and I was stupid to make it. Now I’ll definitely not

Singer Paolo Nutini had been stopped by police in Paisley earlier this year.

be making my own estimation as to whether or not I was okay or not to drive ... That’s what I take from this experience.

“I was stupid and I was wrong. As soon as I was sat in the police car, I knew that that was the case.”

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew acquitted the musician of the single charge after evidence was led from several witnesses about events on the night in question. A CONVICTED drug dealer has admitted fighting with a Rangers fan during the pitch invasion last year that shamed Scotland.

Mark Richardson, 51, was caught on camera encouraging fellow Hibs fans to come onto the pitch during the pitch invasion that followed last May’s 3-2 victory over the Ibrox side at Hampden Park.

He was spotted fighting with a fan on the field after the final whistle and tracked down by police to his Edinburgh home.

Richardson, who was jailed in 2007 for drugs, pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to an offence contrary to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

Sheriff Mungo Bovey ordered him to hand over £1,000 and be of good behaviour for a year and if he is he’ll get his cash back.

Richardson made his way towards the Rangers supporters and was approached by a man wearing a red jacket after the final whistle.

Procurator fiscal depute Louise MacNeill said the man was “clearly looking to engage in a stand up fight” and said they were “seen to exchange punches”.

She added that Richardson “waved his arms at Hibs fans” in an attempt to encourage them to fight with Rangers fans.

Police could not find him when they went to his Edinburgh home on June 7, last year, and he later attended Govan police office.

Defence lawyer Jane Joiner said “the euphoria and excitement” got to lifelong Hibs fan Richardson.

But she claimed he was “embarrassed and ashamed” of his conduct.