Drink-driving student crashed in Dunkeld hotel car park

A student has been fined £500 at Perth Sheriff Court after being caught more than three times the legal alcohol limit for driving.

The court heard on Monday that Andrew Riach (27), of North Bank Farm Cottages, Cameron, St Andrews, had driven back to Hilton Dunkeld Hotel after being out drinking with friends and lost control due to the wintry conditions.

He admitted driving with excess alcohol (107mics) on Sunday.

Depute fiscal Rebecca Kynaston said that Riach had been staying at the hotel and, on the evening in question, drove back at 12.30am, but lost control of his car due to “heavy snow” and collided with the rear of another car parked there.

“The accused told hotel staff and police were called,” she said. “Riach was taken to Perth police HQ and a positive breath test was given.”

Solicitor Andy Lyall, defending, said that Riach a student in Edinburgh had initially planned to take a taxi back to the hotel.

“My client regrets this incident very much and thinks it was foolish and thoughtless,” he said.

Riach was also banned from driving for 16 months.