Driver caught three times over the limit granted licence to sell alcohol

A man who drove on the Edinburgh City Bypass while more than three times over the drink-drive limit and arguing with his wife on the phone has been granted a licence to sell alcohol.

Richard Gargaro appeared before East Lothian Licensing Board just days after being convicted of driving under the influence to ask for a personal licence.

He told the board his actions were the result of a “stupid, stupid decision”, saying: “I was convicted of driving while over the limit and given a 12-month ban.”

A police spokesperson said Mr Gargaro had come to their attention in the early hours of December 27 while driving on the A7 on Old Dalkeith Road with no headlamps on.

They said: “A short time after that he was signalled to stop by police. He was eventually stopped at the B6415 just outside Musselburgh.

“While he was being followed by police they observed a bit of swerving on the A720 and the report said he reached a speed of 86 miles an hour and collided with a verge.”

Police said he failed a roadside test and was taken to a police station where a further test produced a reading of 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath, with the prescribed limit of 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Mr Gargaro told the board he regretted the decision to drive on the night in question and had been with family of a friend of his late mother who had terminal cancer.

He said: “It was a stupid, stupid decision that I made on Boxing Day which is totally regretful. It has had a huge impact on everything from driving my kids to school to my daily work and everything in between and I am now suffering the consequences of my stupid actions.”

In response to questions from board members over how they could be reassured it would not happen again, Mr Gargaro told the meeting: “I am living with the consequences on my family and my job and there is no way I would be so stupid again. I have learned from it.”

Mr Gargaro told the board he took time to stop when signalled to by police because he was on a ‘hands free call’ with his wife at the time.

He said: “My wife was actually on the phone telling me I shouldn’t be driving and I was telling her I agreed with her but we were having an argument about it which made me pay not much attention to what was behind me and I assumed it was an ambulance with the blue lights.”

No details of what Mr Gargaro planned to do with the licence which allows an individual to supervise and authorise the sale of alcohol at licensed premises and events, or his current employment status were given to the board or requested by members.

His only contact details made public were an email address linked The Bistro Bar at Gilmerton Miners Welfare Club, in Newtoft Street, Edinburgh and the address of his agents office in the city.

Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies, board member, thanked Mr Gargaro for not making excuses for his behaviour and appearing before the board, personally telling him: “You have done something immensely stupid and I am being really conservative with my language there but you look like a broken man and as tough as that is for you sometimes us humans need to learn a lesson because humans act as humans do.

“I am minded to support your application. I have no doubt if that is the wrong decision I will not make it twice.”

The board unanimously agreed to grant the personal licence.