A Scottish earl has been been banned from driving after he was caught speeding while drink-driving.

Simon Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of Strathmore and a convicted sex offender, admitted driving while over the legal alcohol limit on the A90 in Perthshire in March.

At Perth Sheriff Court Court he was banned from the road for 16 months and fined £1,000.

He was jailed for 10 months in 2021 for a sex attack at Glamis Castle in Angus.

The 37-year-old aristocrat was also put on the sex offenders register for 10 years for the sexual assault on a woman at his ancestral home.

He was the great-great nephew of the late Queen Mother, and the first cousin twice removed of the late Queen.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that police officers detected Bowes-Lyon's Mercedes exceeding the speed limit on the A90 at Inchture at about 20:00 on 23 March.

Fiscal depute Stuart Hamilton said: "They pulled the vehicle over and he was obliged to provide a specimen of breath, which he complied with."

"The sample returned positive for alcohol and he was arrested."

He gave a reading of 55mcg per 100ml of breath; the legal limit is 22mcg.

Bowes-Lyon was charged with driving at 88mph but the Crown dropped this as part of a plea deal.

Solicitor Advocate Neil Hay said his client full co-operated with the police.

"He is the owner and manager of an estate in Angus and has business interests elsewhere in the UK," he added. "He has a significant income. He entirely accepts responsibility for his actions.

"He recognises the danger of his actions and the potential consequences for members of the public. He fully understands public disquiet about the nature of the charge.

"He is profoundly remorseful and sorry for his conduct and the inconvenience he has caused to the public and to this court."

Sheriff William Gilchrist said Bowes-Lyon's disqualification would be reduced by four months if he successfully completed a drink driver's rehabilitation course.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-67381166