Sheriff admits drink driving, claiming he was depressed

Livingston Sheriff Court heard the date was Anthony's late father's birthday and that the sheriff had been suffering from depression that week because of the death of another friend.

Anthony, a married father of three from West Lothian, had already resigned from his 123,000-a-year job. The court allowed Anthony four weeks to pay because he has not worked since resigning from the bench.

The court heard that at 5pm on the day of the incident, police received information about a motor vehicle and went to Anthony's home.

Anthony admitted he had been driving his car and was taken to Livingston police station where tests showed he had an alcohol level of 92 micrograms of alcohol in his breath when the legal limit is 35, making him almost three times the limit.

Paul McBride, QC for Anthony, said the sheriff had resigned from his employment in Glasgow where he had "served with distinction" for several years.

He confirmed his client had not worked since.

Mr McBride said he had provided the court with a report from a psychologist.

He added: "Mr Anthony has been suffering from a depressive disorder that led from the traumatic death of his father. He does not appear to have reconciled himself to that.

"The day (of the incident] was the day of his father's birthday. He had been depressed that week over the death of another friend.

"Having left work, he accepts that he had a drink and drove his car. He expresses full remorse for what he has done. It is a difficult and humiliating situation for him.

"He has taken steps to deal with his depressive disorder."

Mr McBride said his client had received numerous messages of support from colleagues who "valued his contribution".

Anthony was disqualified from driving for two years, although he was told that ban would be cut by six months if he completed a rehabilitation course. A fine of 650 was imposed with four weeks to pay.

Anthony, accompanied by his wife, left court without commenting.

He had been instantly suspended by the Lord President after he was caught drink driving last month and resigned shortly afterwards.

Anthony became a solicitor in 1984 and was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates four years later. He was appointed a QC in 2002 and worked as a prosecutor between 2001 and 2004.

The following year he was appointed as a part-time sheriff and was also a commissioner for the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.

He became a full-time sheriff in late 2007, on a salary of 123,200.