Elgin Sheriff Court imposes bans upon four Moray motorist on same day

Motoring bans have been handed out in four separate drink driving cases heard at Elgin Sheriff Court.

In the first case the court was told an EPS van driver was travelling along the A96 at 3am on September 22.

As they approached Keith their view of the road was impaired by a black Mitsubishi Shogun, parked facing the other way with its lights on full beam.

The van driver stopped and found Jamie Barrack asleep behind the wheel.

Believing him to be under the influence, the police were contacted and the 20-year-old was taken to the station in Elgin where attempts were made to administer a breath test.

However Barrack repeatedly refused to blow into the bag, and instead insisted on seeing a lawyer.

The court heard that the defendant had previously served a three-month disqualification after being caught speeding in Ireland.

Barrack, of New Pitsligo, near Fraserburgh, was disqualified for 15 months and fined £750 for failing to comply with the breath test procedure.

In the second case a police patrol in Elgin responded to a report that a vehicle had collided with a pedestrian safety rail besides the A96 on North Street.

Georgia Clark was found sat on a grass embankment nearby.

It was stated in court that the 20-year-old, who lives on Morriston Road, Elgin, was in a “highly distressed state”.

A breath test recorded a reading of 98 – more than four times the legal limit.

Defence solicitor Stephen Carty stated his client had been out in Elgin on October 26, but had made the unwise decision to drive home after getting into an argument with her boyfriend.

A 14-month ban was imposed along with a £500 fine.

Also appearing in court was Danielle Lawson, of Cameron Drive, Keith, who was found to be more than five times the limit after veering off the road and colliding with a gate.

The accident happened on Church Street in the town at 7pm during the course of October 26.

The court was told that the 37-year-old had been returning home after attending a ladies day.

Sheriff David Harvie ordered social workers to compile a report and banned Lawson from driving in the meantime.

In the fourth case Amanda Taylor, a care worker from Alves, was banned for being just under five times the limit on September 16.

At 1.10pm that afternoon the 50-year-old had pulled onto the A96 as it runs through the village and hit a passing lorry.

Defence solicitor Megan Lee admitted her client had been drinking into the early hours.

The solicitor had earlier handed over a list of character references from Taylor’s clients who spoke highly of both her caring nature and professional competence.

Sheriff Harvie imposed a 15-month ban.