Five-times-limit disqualified Moray biker who punched officer sentenced
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A BIKER who rode while drunk and banned punched a police officer in the face and broke her glasses.
Sandy Wells (29), of Fraser Avenue, Elgin was sentenced to unpaid work, banned from driving for three years and placed under social work supervision at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday (June 1).
Fiscal depute Karen Poke said witnesses spotted Wells, who "appeared inebriated", "lying on the road underneath his motorcycle" on November 11, 2022.
After Police were informed, she said, they traced the vehicle back to his home and attended.
Ms Poke said that, when Police questioned Wells about the reports: “he became defensive with them."
She added that he "raised his hands above his head" and hit a police officer "in her face, causing her glasses to break."
Later, Wells was found to have 104mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – nearly five times the limit of 22mg per 100ml.
Solicitor Matthew O'Neill, representing Wells, said the Elgin man knows his drunk riding decision was "reprehensible".
Speaking before sentencing, Mr O'Neill said Wells had a "significant issue" with alcohol and could not explain why he chose to rode his motorbike drunk.
“Alcohol and the use of alcohol has been a significant issue for Mr Wells throughout his adult life," Mr O'Neill said.
“He recognises that driving in the condition he was in is reprehensible.
“And I hope this brings home to him how serious his behaviour has been.
“He has attempted to provide an explanation.
"But having been as inebriated as he was, he took the decision to drive – and that is one thing he can’t explain."
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood handed down 120 hours of unpaid work within eight months as an alternative to jail, as well as a three year driving ban and three years of social work supervision.
Wells was "wholly aware", however, that his behaviour could have landed him behind bars, Mr O'Neill said.
He added: “If he doesn’t do what is requested, there will be no option left to the court.
“He has been completing unpaid work previously.
“The one thing he asks is to allow him to remain at work.
“The one thing to Mr Wells' credit is that he has always been in work."
