A locum pharmacist’s career hangs in the balance after he was caught driving at almost three times the limit in Gateshead.
Michael McGinty, 55, must inform his professional regulatory body of his conviction within seven days – and he could lose his licence to work.
McGinty, of Fairmount Terrace, Perth, Scotland, turned to booze to help him cope with the death of his father, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.
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His marriage also collapsed, leaving him unable for the past 18 months to see his two school-age children who live in Ireland.
He was stopped by police as he drove his Jaguar car on the A1 southbound at Team Valley on Sunday, August 1. A breath test showed 99mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, against a legal limit of 35mcgs.
His solicitor, Janice Hall, said McGinty was deeply remorseful of his offence – and laid out the risks to his job. She said: “He has seven days to inform the General Pharmaceutical Council of his conviction.
“This can include striking off to a financial penalty to supervision.
“He is clearly a man who very much regrets this matter. I don’t think he is a man who will appear before this court again.
“There’s a significant showing of remorse on his part. He has stopped drinking completely since the commission of this offence.”
Mrs Hall added: “There was a very difficult divorce. His wife moved with their two children to Ireland.
“He’s not seen his sons for 18 months. This causes significant upset.
“There is the bereavement of his father, and his mother is also having to come to terms with that.
“It’s that which led to a situation of having a drink.
“He has worked as a locum in various locations and this conviction will have a significant impact.”
McGinty, who is of previous good character, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
Deputy District Judge Gary Garland said he accepted McGinty was a committed professional.
And he recognised McGinty’s personal problems had got on top of him, leading him to seek solace in alcohol “from time to time”.
He also expressed hope he does not lose his professional licence.
But he added: “Having said that, you’d have to live on the moon to not know that drinking and driving don’t go together.
“You shouldn’t have driven with alcohol in your system. It’s not far short of three times the limit.
“On this particular occasion, it’s a bit of an aberration. I’m satisfied it will never happen again.
“It’s an offence which causes a lot of people concern, but you’re hardly enemy number one.
“I don’t think you have any sort of drink problem.”
Judge Garland banned McGinty from driving for two years and fined him £500, with £85 court costs and a £50 victim surcharge.
He offered him the option of sitting a drink-driver rehabilitation course which reduces a disqualification by a quarter on successful completion.
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