Car sales director caught drug driving in Rutherglen
The man crashed at a pedestrian crossing after taking cocaine
A director of a car sales business has been caught driving while under the influence of cocaine.
Gerard Grimley, 38, was arrested by police in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, on 14th September 2022.
Grimley pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to dangerous driving and driving with the exceeded amount of cocaine in his blood.
Prosecutor Monique Cooney said: “He provided a sample for a drug swipe, and it returned a positive result for cocaine."
Over the limit
A blood test revealed Grimley was carrying 200 mg of cocaine per litre of blood - the limit is 10 mg.
The court heard he crashed into railings and traffic lights at a pedestrian crossing, causing significant damage to them.
Miss Cooney stated that Grimley became "trapped" in his Audi TT and emergency services were called.
Police attended the scene and Grimley, of Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, admitted he was responsible.
Sheriff Owen Mullan fined Grimley £600 and banned him from driving for 14 months.
It was also revealed that Grimley has had to employ a driver due to his licence being revoked.
He was also ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work and tagged for two months, keeping him indoors between 8pm and 7am.
"The consequences could have been grave"
His lawyer told the sentencing: "He deeply regrets this incident and takes full responsibility for it. He has had a major reality check while driving."
The sheriff said: "It is acknowledged rightly that this was really poor driving in the circumstances. The consequences could have been grave."