A BURGHEAD MAN was disqualified from driving for two years after Elgin Sheriff Court heard he had left the scene of an accident on the A941 between Elgin and Lossiemouth.
Michael Andrews, 37, had been drinking with a friend after they met at an Elgin bar before deciding to go to Lossiemouth – where the friend, Kevin Smith, fell into the harbour.
Andrews decided to drive him home to Elgin and it was while travelling along the A941 near the Muirton junction that their car hit the back of another. The court was told that Andrews left the scene of the accident – but had left his mobile phone plugged in the car.
Mr Smith was cut free from the wreckage and taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital where he was given painkillers – the driver of the other vehicle had suffered minor injuries.
Police meanwhile was being sought by police who were concerned for his welfare – he was eventually traced at his home in Burghead.
Andrews, who had previously admitted driving dangerously while under the influence of alcohol was reappearing for sentencing.
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov told him that she would “stop short” of a custodial sentence but as well as banning him from the road she ordered him to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to the driver of the other vehicle.