A bus driver has been warned to expect a “substantial” ban after he was caught in charge of his coach while over the drink-drive limit.
Michael Beattie, who works for Falkirk-based Dewars Executive Coach Hire, was caught while parked at Perth’s Station Hotel on May 15.
The 49-year-old appeared at the city’s sheriff court and admitted being in charge of a VDL Future coach in the hotel’s rear car park with excess alcohol (31mics/ 22).
Sheriff Gillian Wade deferred sentence until December 14 for background reports.
She told Beattie, of Abbotsfield Drive, Laurieston: “You have previous convictions which causes me some concern.
“I will defer sentence and disqualify you in the interim, but, given your record, you can expect a substantial period of disqualification.”
Carer assaulted two
Fife carer Daryl McFarlane sexually assaulted two women at his workplace. The 30-year-old was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for one year.
Police evidence refuted
An Angus engineer has been acquitted of dangerous driving on the A94 in Perthshire.
James Jeffs went on trial accused of driving into the path of oncoming traffic – including a marked police car – on the Perth-Forfar road, near Arnbog Farm.
The 31-year-old, from Montrose, denied causing vehicles to take evasive action on July 6 last year.
He was found not guilty after evidence from a key witness contradicted testimony from arresting officers.
PC Claire Galloway said she and colleague Ramsay Scott were travelling towards Perth when the car in front braked “heavily” to avoid an oncoming Toyota Hilux, driven by Mr Jeffs, which had gone into their side of the road while overtaking an HGV.
PC Galloway said there would have been a crash if the car in front had not hit the brakes but businesswoman Marjorie Henderson, who was driving in front of the police car, denied she braked harshly.
She said she slowed down but there was a safe distance between her and the accused.
Asked if she thought Mr Jeffs’ driving was dangerous, Ms Henderson said: “No, because he had lots of time to get back to his own side of the road before I was anywhere near him.”
Sheriff Euan Duthie said, “there is a reasonable doubt here” and told Mr Jeffs he was not guilty of the charge.
Low-speed joyride
A teenage boy broke into a golf club and hotwired a ride-on lawnmower before taking it on a low-speed joyride for a mile. The youth, now 17, admitted stealing the vehicle from Craigie Hill Golf Club in Perth after breaking in during the early hours of the morning.
Crown pursues ex-MP cash
Prosecutors are looking to recover £162,000 from shamed former MP Natalie McGarry.
McGarry, 41, originally from Inverkeithing, was jailed for two years at Glasgow Sheriff Court in June this year.
She was found guilty of taking £19,974 while treasurer of Women for Independence.
McGarry also embezzled further £4,661 while treasurer, secretary and convener of the Glasgow Regional Association of the SNP.
McGarry – who denied the accusations – had been the MP for Glasgow East between 2015 and 2017.
A proceeds of crime hearing in which prosecutors are looking to recover money was postponed on Tuesday as the sheriff was unavailable.
Incarcerated McGarry, who is in the process of appealing, was also not in attendance.
The statement states the Crown are seeking to get £162,000 from McGarry.
The matter was continued until January by Sheriff Tom Ward.
Intoxicated in charge of car
A Fife accountant was found intoxicated at the wheel by a recovery truck driver who arrived to change her car tyre. At Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court Lee Christie, 59, admitted being unfit to drive through drink or drugs on Mitchelston Drive, Kirkcaldy, on September 12.
Violent messages
A 31-year-old Fife man admitted repeatedly making threats of violence to a woman and her family in phone calls and text messages.
Thomas McPhee, of Fordell near Cowdenbeath, pled guilty to sending the messages which were grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.
He appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court to admit the charge.
Sheriff James MacDonald fined McPhee £675.
