Tag: police

First time drink drivers to lose cars

Measures are being introduced which could see first-time drink-drivers in Scotland having their car seized.

Drivers who refuse a breath test for analysis without reasonable excuse could also have their vehicles taken from them.

The measures mark the launch of the annual police crackdown on dangerous drivers over the festive period which took place at the Scottish Parliament on Monday morning.

Last year 7,563 people in Scotland were caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, an average of around 20 offenders every day.

Now first-time drink-drivers who provide a sample for analysis which is three times the legal limit or more, and those who refuse a breath test, could have their vehicles taken away for good after conviction.

That would be in addition to receiving a criminal record, a fine and a 12-month driving ban.

The plans come after a forfeiture scheme introduced in 2009 to deal with repeat offenders.

It was extended in summer 2010 to include drug-drivers.

A total of 702 repeat offenders have been caught and 155 vehicles forfeited, with a further 18 vehicles seized pending court decisions.

According to the latest figures, it is estimated that just over one in seven deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.

Man beaten after questioning gang

A man was punched to the ground and kicked after questioning a group that were drinking in his close.

The 62-year-old went into the common stair in Ferry Road Drive at around 7.30am on Sunday.

He found a group of three men and a woman sat in the close drinking and asked them what they were doing there.

One of the men punched him in the face and the victim fell to the ground before another man started kicking him. The group then left the close.

The victim went to St John’s Hospital where he was treated for a broken jaw and reported the attack to the police on Tuesday.

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses as they try and find the men responsible.

The first suspect is described as a white man aged around 20, around 5ft 10in tall and well built with short, fair hair. He was wearing a sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms at the time of the attack.

The second man is also white and around 20 years old. He is around 5ft 8in tall with a slim build and dark brown or black hair.

A police spokesman said: “This was an unprovoked and vicious assault that resulted in a man suffering a painful and serious facial injury.

“Given the time of day, there may have been a number of people in the streets on their way to work and anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the Ferry Road Drive area on Sunday morning is asked to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, if anyone can assist in identifying those responsible for this attack, they are also asked to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.