By Paul Reoch

A UNIVERSITY research fellow whose job entails looking into drug and alcohol addiction was yesterday disqualified from driving for three years at Perth Sheriff Court after being caught driving over the legal limit.

Paul Yates (57), of Blair’s Farm, Auchterarder, admitted two separate offences of drink-driving, which his solicitor said was “ironic” for the Stirling University employee, who works in the department of applied sciences and addictions.

Yates was previously found guilty after trial in relation to a charge that on August 4, 2006, in Crieff, he drove with excess alcohol.

He also admitted that on December 15, at Blair’s Farm, Auchterarder, he drove with excess alcohol.

With regard to the second charge, depute fiscal Lucy Keane said police were carrying out a routine check when they saw the accused in his car at 10.15pm.

The court heard a taxi driver had seen Yates “staggering” across the road near a pub in the centre of Crieff on August 4, 2006.

The taxi driver followed the accused and noted his car was “weaving” from side to side.

Yates later told police at his home that he had been drinking half pints of beer with whisky chasers.

He told the officers he had been consuming whisky in his garden shed when he arrived home as he did not want his wife to see him drinking.

Yates’ solicitor, Virgil Crawford, told the court his client had been drinking with friends following a bereavement.

“He accepts he had more to drink than he should have,” he said.

Mr Crawford said Yates worked in the drug and alcohol addiction department in Stirling University.

“He (Yates) was awarded the MBE for services to the community in 1994,” Mr Crawford added.

“He does find it ironic and regretful that he appears today on these charges.

“His employment continues at the moment, and he expects that will remain (the case).

“He is being driven to and from his work in Stirling from his home.”

Mr Crawford told the court Yates had “significantly” reduced his intake of alcohol and didn’t have a problem with it.

“He is well aware of drug and alcohol intoxication,” he added.

“He is concerned at his standing in the community and his work in relation to these offences.

“He is unlikely to find himself before the court again.”

Sentencing Yates, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said, “You have been convicted of two offences within 16 months, which raises the possibility of someone losing their liberty; however, I am not going to do that in this case.

“Probation is not appropriate either, so I am going to impose a significant fine.

“It is appropriate, that with regard to the reading (66 mics) and it taking place within 16 months, that you are disqualified from driving for three years.”

Yates, who sat in the dock with his head bowed, was also fined a total of £1500.

A spokesman for Stirling University said the university could not comment on individual members of staff.

Yates is executive director of the European Working Group on Drugs Oriented Research (EWODOR).