Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Mike McQuaid

Former football boss fails to have seven-year driving ban axed

A football boss turned business tycoon has failed to have a seven-year driving ban cut short.

A court heard that Vinnie Moore, who admitted having a drinking problem, has racked up disqualifications totalling 17 years.

The former Albion Rovers manager is the founder and chairman of Glasgow-based Simple Group, which supplies businesses with IT services and office equipment.

His latest ban was imposed in 2019 after Moore, of Uddingston, Lanarkshire, was found by his wife almost unconscious behind the wheel of his car.

He admitted driving while unfit through drink or drugs and failing to take a breath test but claimed medication for anxiety had made him drowsy.

Vinnie Moore back during his playing days with Clydebank in 1985. (Sportapics)

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard last week that Moore, 58, has two previous convictions for drink-related driving offences.

He made an application for the seven-year ban to be lifted. It was not due to expire until 2026.

Solicitor Paul Kavanagh lodged references on his behalf and said having his licence back would benefit his business.

He stated: “There is a distinct difference in the circumstances of the last offence. That involved him taking prescribed medication and, unlike previous offences, there was no alcohol consumption.”

Sheriff Liam Murphy was told that Moore has not committed any further offences since 2019 but he refused the application, saying it was too soon to allow him to drive again.

Moore played for teams including Airdrie, Ayr United and Clydebank during his career.

In 2019 his defence counsel, Gordon Jackson, said the “demon drink” was a “major problem” for him.

He explained that Moore had missed a court date after going on a binge while on holiday in Europe. He had his credit card and phone stolen and his wife and brother-in-law had to fly to Germany to bring him home.

Jackson told the court: “He had taken his wife to Venice for her birthday but, while there, he fell off the wagon and the demon drink, which has been a major problem for him, kicked in.

“He and his wife then travelled to Frankfurt before she went home, leaving him at Frankfurt Airport, where he stayed for a number of days.

“At least twice he booked a flight home but never made it. Then everything he had, including his credit card and phone, was stolen.

“His card records show someone used it to book flights to Toronto and Afghanistan.

“He was in a terrible state but eventually a young American woman spoke to him. She obtained phone numbers which led to his wife and brother-in-law flying to Frankfurt to take him home.

“To add insult to injury, he then had an accident and ended up in hospital for some time.”

As well as being given a seven-year driving ban, Moore was placed under social work supervision for 12 months and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.