A motorist who drove on a motorway without insurance – and later refused to provide breath samples at Coatbridge police office – has been banned from the road for nearly two years and will spend the next four weeks behind bars.
Martin Clouston, 23, got behind the wheel between the A8725 north-bound near Shawhead and the Chapelhall flyover near the on-slip of the A8 eastbound carriageway.
When police later took him into custody, they asked Clouston to provide two “specimens of breath samples” to “ascertain his ability to drive” which he refused.
The Blackridge resident owned up to both offences and background reports were compiled.
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He made his way into the dock at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week from custody, relating to another matter.
Sheriff Derek O’Carroll told Clouston: “You will be disqualified [from driving] for 20 months on charge four [failing to provide breath specimens].”
The driving ban was reduced from 24 months due to Clouston’s guilty plea.
Sheriff O’Carroll also fined Clouston £360 – reduced from £400 because he owned up to the offences – on each charge but, as Clouston was in custody for another matter, the sheriff imposed the alternative “no time to pay” punishment of 28 days in prison.
