East Renfrewshire man in Paisley Sheriff Court over drink driving

Despite pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, Robert Gregory denies being the driver of the car that crashed on Orchard Park Avenue in Thornliebank on March 12, 2023.

Cops were called to the scene after reports of an “abandoned car” was causing obstructions and had “extensive damage.”

A check confirmed Gregory, of Woodfarm Road, at the time of the incident was the keeper of the car. 

When cops turned up at the 44-year-old’s home, they could smell alcohol coming from him and he tried to hide car keys under a pillow. 

“They had received reports of a damaged vehicle casing obstruction and was abandoned with extensive accident damage.

“The hazard lights were flashing and that both airbags had deployed with the car at rest on the pavement having hit a lamppost. 

“Officers carried out a vehicle check and noted the keeper and insured party, was the accused and that he lived half a mile away. 

“Officers attended at the accused’s home around 40 minutes later and observed the property in darkness and the front door ajar.

“Officers entered and located the accused in the bedroom. 

“They could smell alcohol on him and he was unsteady on his feet. 

“The accused was asked to identify the driver of the vehicle and he replied, ‘I don’t know.’

“However PC Greig noticed the accused was trying to hide vehicle keys under his pillow. 

“A breath test was carried out which he failed.

“He was thereafter arrested, taken to Helen Street station where the intoximeter procedure was carried out and he replied, ‘I’m not guilty, I never done it’ to caution and charge.”

Gregory, admitted driving a car while the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 160mg. 

The legal limit is 22mg.

He also admitted he failed to appear at a court hearing on August 12, last year “without reasonable excuse.”

Defence agent Paul Lynch had been instructed to appear on behalf of Gregory who had pleaded guilty to drink driving, however Mr Lynch told the court Gregory denies driving the vehicle and therefore had to withdraw from acting. 

Gregory, now of Burnfield Road in Mansefield, then chose to represent himself telling the court that night he had “people round” at his house. 

He added: “I was intoxicated. 

“I was going through a bad time in my life but I’ve turned my life around.

“It was out of my control but I still testament I was not guilty. 

“I’ve never been in trouble in my life, I have two kids, I’ve moved on in my life.”

Sheriff Thomas McCartney stated Gregory had a previous conviction from 2017 so it “wasn’t true he’d never been in trouble before.”

Sheriff McCartney stated: “I shall deal with the drink drive offence with a fine and a period of disqualification and I have to reflect the very high reading in this offence.” 

Gregory, was fined a total of £760 and ordered to pay this at £40 per month.

In addition, he was banned from driving for 32 months.

Sheriff McCartney certified the ban to be reduced to 24 months if Gregory successfully completes the drink drive rehabilitation scheme. 

He was admonished in respect of his failure to appear charge.