Lawyer banned for drink-driving

Jan 8 2009

A HAMILTON lawyer was last week banned from the road after admitting a drink-driving charge.

Nicholas Scullion snr was also fined £400 at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where he regularly appears to defend clients.

Scullion was stopped by police in Motherwell while driving his Jaguar in September.

He had been slightly over the limit – a blood test had found he had an alcohol count of 91mg. The limit is 80mg.

Nicholas J Scullion and Co run the website roadtrafficdefence.com with the slogan Saving Your Licence.

It claims that the firm specialise in drink driving, speeding, careless and dangerous driving offences.

Colleagues were said to be stunned when they saw the 61-year-old lawyer in the dock at the end of a day’s business last week.

Scullion, of Bothwell, had slipped into Hamilton Sheriff Court by the back door and was represented by his son, Nicholas jnr.

A sheriff from another area had been brought in to deal with the matter.

A legal source said: “He was the very last case in court, but no one knew about it. Those still in court were shocked.

“He must be embarrassed by the whole thing – especially since the firm specialise in driving offences.”

The firm, which earlier this year moved into new premises in Cadzow Street, boast about their expertise in helping motorists.

Their website states: “It is often thought that there are no defences to a charge of driving with excess alcohol or failing to provide a specimen.

“There are loopholes that can be exploited to help you avoid disqualification.”

Sheriff Maggie Neilson imposed the fine and disqualified him from driving for a year. His licence was also endorsed.

The Campaign Against Drink Driving described Scullion’s 12-month driving ban as “lenient.”