An Angus bus driver pulled over by police officers for driving his car erratically and then found to be more than six times the legal drink-drive limit has avoided a jail sentence.
Rudolfs Vlasovs, 33, of Benedict Road in Arbroath was slammed by Sheriff Derek Reekie for the “extraordinarily high” reading — believed to be one of the highest to come before a Scotttish court since the introduction of new drink-drive limits at the end of 2014.
The court heard that on the evening of December 2 last year Vlasovs had gone to a friend’s house and consumed a “large amount” of spirits.
Defence agent Nick Markowski said: “He has limited recollection but stupidly he took his car home and he apologises for that.”
Police Scotland officers on patrol that evening were driving behind the accused before pulling him over.
Vlasovs admitted driving his car on Catherine Street, Arbroath with a breath alcohol count of 138 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22.
Mr Markowski told the court his client had appeared from custody on December 4 and pleaded guilty from the outset to drink driving.
He said: “My client is 33 years of age and had been in Scotland for nine years at the time the offence was committed.
“He was employed as a bus driver – clearly that employment has been lost and he is actively seeking employment.
“He has a young family and is hopeful of gaining employment as a summer worker as he has done that type of work before.
“This is his first offence, his family has very limited means.”
Sheriff Reekie told Vlasovs: “You were identified by the police as driving a car erratically and, following procedures, were found to have in excess of six times the legal limit of alcohol in your system.
“That is an extraordinarily high reading. You must have known you were incapable of driving.
“The potential for a car accident is obvious and, furthermore, you may not have known you were in an accident because of the level of intoxication.”
The sheriff continued: “I recognise you are a first offender and were in full time employment. It was inevitable you lost your job.
“I recognise you have pleaded guilty but the protection of the public is one of my main priorities.”
He told Vlasovs, who was given the opportunity to undertake a drink- drive rehabilitation programme: “My first reaction is that a man of 33 should not need to be told the danger of driving with that amount of alcohol.
“But any education can be a benefit and I will give you this opportunity of attending and completing this drink-driving course.
“I mark the court’s disapproval of you offending in this way — it is open to me to impose a six month custodial sentence. “
Sheriff Reekie ordered Vlasovs to carry out a community pay back order for 180 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody and disqualified him from driving for 20 months.
The court refused the Crown’s earlier motion for forfeiture of Vlasovs’ motor car.
