Drink drive scientist fined after being caught more than five times limit in Broughty Ferry

A scientist who was caught driving while he was nearly six times over the alcohol limit has been banned from driving for two years.

Dr Mark Peggie, 53, was also fined £1,000 at Dundee Sheriff Court after he admitted driving under the influence of alcohol on September 14.

The court was told Peggie had been struggling with a long-term drink problem but had since taken steps to address his issues.

Peggie, from Dundee, admitted driving his Honda CR-V in Falkland Crescent, Broughty Ferry, while his alcohol reading was 122 mics. The limit is 22 mics.

Sheriff John Rafferty told Peggie: “It does appear this matter has opened your eyes and you are now addressing your problems.

“For your own sake, your family’s sake, and for the sake of the wider public I hope you continue to do so.”

Peggie joined a Dundee University lab in 2001 as a postdoctoral researcher and provided molecular biology support within the unit.

He worked under the auspices of the Medical Research Council and became joint head of cloning before taking on a role as a lab technician at the university’s Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science.