Sheriff Kevin of Duns had to deal with an unusual case of a drunken driver who wasn't but thought he might be. The defendant had driven to the cop shop in Coldstream to get advice about his 'domestic situation' involving an argument with his wife the previous evening when they had both drink taken-as the Irish out it. Acting on a tip off from the wife the Police breathalysed him but after he had told them that he had been given a lift to the Police Station as he himself suspected that he was over the limit and did not want to incriminate himself. . The test showed that he was actually below the limit! The Police then found his car next to the station with the engine still warm but he still insisted he had been given a lift so he was formally charged with 'failing to provide information about the driver'. He said in court that he continued to insist he had not driven his car even after the breath test was negative as he did not want to be charged with wasting police time. This had led to the window of the car being smashed by the police to get access as he did not want to admit he had the keys. He then had to drive back to Manchester, his home town, with a broken window.Not really his day. Sherrif K was sympathetic but felt obliged to award him three penalty points (For wasting Police time!). Tough and it is very odd why a Mancunian drove to Scotland to ask police advice about his matrimonial circumstances.
