Aberdeenshire Pensioner Admits Drink Driving For Fourth Time

A pensioner today admitted drink driving for the fourth time - while on a lifetime ban.

Hugh Thomson got behind the wheel of a car while almost five times the drink drive limit last month.

The 67-year-old drank four whiskies and half a pint of beer before driving off from the Gordon Arms Hotel in Rhynie.

Concerned village residents tried to stop him and attempted to grab the keys out of the ignition but he was adamant that he was able to drive.

Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard today that police caught up with him a short time later and he was breathalysed.

He had 99 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath when the limit is 22 micrograms.

The pensioner, who lives in nearby Lumsden, in Aberdeenshire, was banned from driving for life when he appeared at Fort William Sheriff Court in 1997.

Defence lawyer, Mike Monro, said his client suffered from severe health problems and had a terminal condition.

He said Thomson had a full-time carer who was on holiday at the time of the offence on May 23 this year.

Mr Monro explained to the court that it was a relatively short distance from his client's house to the hotel bar in the next village.

The solicitor said his client had very little recollection of the incident and could give no valid reason for driving the vehicle.

He also admitted a charge of driving with no license while disqualified yesterday.

Sheriff Alison Stirling deferred sentence until next month for background reports and a DVLA print out.