Man drove on to Wemyss Bay ferry while over alcohol limit

Craig Glabus has been fined hundreds of pounds and banned from the roads after he pleaded guilty to a single charge of drink driving at Greenock Sheriff Court.

The 52-year-old drove a Honda Civic at Wemyss Bay Ferry Terminal and elsewhere on April 7 while the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 74 micrograms per 100 millilitres.

The legal limit in Scotland is 22 micrograms.

Fiscal depute Joanne Gilmour told the court that police had cause to speak with Glabus at an address in Rothesay at around 8:30am.

(Image: Newsquest)

Ms Gilmour said: “They noted him to be heavily intoxicated.

“He was informed not to drive.

“At 9:30am, police were made aware he was on the ferry within his vehicle.

“Officers at the ferry terminal observed him driving off the ferry into the terminal car park.”

A roadside breath test was carried out and Glabus was arrested and taken to Greenock police office, where he was later cautioned and charged.

Defence solicitor Amy Spencer said he had been in Rothesay visiting ‘an old friend’.

Glabus, of West Lothian, stayed overnight at his friend’s house and the pair were involved in an altercation the following morning.

Ms Spencer added: “They had consumed large quantities of alcohol – more so than he would usually drink.

“He advises that he had an anxiety attack and drove.

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“He saw the ferry was boarding and proceeded on the ferry.

“He ought not to have done that. He fully accepts that.”

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan said: “The court takes a very serious view of drink driving.

“It can have very serious consequences for both the driver and other road users.

“You made a deliberate decision to drive immediately after being told not to by officers of Police Scotland.”

Glabus was ordered to pay a fine of £540 and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of 12 months.