Knife-carrying drink driver sentenced

A man who carried a knife at the Taynuilt Hotel and drove while six times over the legal limit of alcohol has escaped a prison sentence with 160 hours unpaid work, a £400 fine and a driving ban. John Bennet Wright, 32, of 17 Viking Crescent, Houston, Johnston, pleaded guilty to possessing a locking knife without a lawful excuse at the Taynuilt Hotel on July 16, 2021. Wright also admitted to drink driving on Glenlonan Road, Taynuilt, on the same day, when the proportion of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath was measured at 147 microgrammes, exceeding the limit of 22 microgrammes. Procurator fiscal James Dunbar told Oban Sheriff Court on Wednesday February 23 that police were contacted after a witness saw Wright in possession of a knife, described as 8cm in length, and able to be locked. Defence agent Craig Broadley said Wright had no previous convictions. ‘There is a background of alcohol misuse and addiction. He is attending Alcoholics Anonymous,’ Mr Broadley told the court.

‘He said it was a crazy decision to go there with the knife. He could be in prison for this. There are alternatives for a custodial sentence.’

Sheriff Patrick Hughes sentenced Wright to a community payback order as an alternative to custody, comprising 160 hours of unpaid work, and supervision for 12 months.

Sheriff Hughes also imposed a £400 financial penalty, and disqualified Wright from driving for 16 months, to be reduced to 12 months if he passes a drink driver rehabilitation course.