Drink-driving NHS worker crashed into parked car in Galashiels
Last updated 22nd Dec 2025
A court’s heard a drink-driving NHS worker told police he was “so drunk” as he tried to put his trainers on after being arrested for crashing into a parked car in Galashiels.
But Ian Napier, who gave an address in Duns, refused to give officers a specimen of breath because, he felt, they were being “heavy-handed”.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard the incident unfolded in the town's Wood Street around 1am on November the 9th.
And the impact of the collision caused the parked car to spin 90 degrees - blocking the road.
Zoe Tranter, prosecuting, said witnesses saw Napier trying to reverse but he was unable to do so because of the damage caused.
The 53-year-old then got out and walked to an ambulance which had been travelling in the same direction on the A72 - the main road between Peebles and Galashiels.
Napier, who works as an activities co-ordinator with the mental health services team, had been drinking at a friend's house when - his solicitor, Ed Hulme, said - he "stupidly" decided to drive home.
According to the charge, he failed to maintain control of his vehicle, causing it to swerve across the road and collide with the parked car.
The court heard police could smell the alcohol coming from Napier and took him to Hawick Police Station.
But, when he was asked to provide a specimen of breath, he refused - stating: "I don't feel like it."
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Mr Hulme said his client often drank every day after work but had not drunk since the incident, and was now seeking help for his behaviour.
As well as failing to provide a specimen of breath, Napier also pled guilty to driving carelessly and while unfit through drink or drugs.
Passing sentence, Sheriff Peter Paterson said he had no clear idea of how much alcohol Napier had consumed but, because of his driving, he could only assume it was high or very high.
He fined him a total of £800, ordered him to pay a £40 victim surcharge, and disqualified him from driving for 16 months.
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