A serving police officer has been fined £500 and banned from driving for six months, following his conviction for being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit for drink driving, reported the Daily Record this week.
Thomas McGinn, a police sergeant, was discovered in his car which, although parked at the time, had its engine running while he was more than two and a half times the legal limit.
Among the defence arguments put forward to the court was that fact that if McGinn was banned from driving he would face “exceptional hardship” as it was likely that he would also lose his job.
If this happened, it would also delay his receipt of his pension - according to the Daily Record, McGinn, 48, is due to retire on a full pension in approximately one year. In the event of his losing his job he would not be entitled to receive his pension until he reached the age of 50, which would have “drastic” financial implications.
It was also argued that there was no likelihood of McGinn actually driving the car, as he intended to sleep in it overnight, following an argument with his wife.
The court rejected both arguments, imposing a fine, thirteen penalty points and a six month driving ban on Mr McGinn. He may also face internal disciplinary proceedings, says the Daily Record.
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