Manager of alcohol free bar crashed while more than 4 times the limit

The manager of an alcohol-free bar was found slumped over the wheel of his car after crashing at more than four times the drink-drive limit.

Hayden Geraghty is the boss of Sobr in Aberdeen but got behind the wheel after drinking alcohol with friends after a shift last month.

He crashed the motor and police arrived to find him on the driver’s seat on March 7.

Geraghty was breathalysed and gave a reading of 99 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 22mcg.

The 33-year-old appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Tuesday and admitted drink driving.

Sheriff Eric Brown banned Geraghty, of Newtonhill, from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay a total fine of £520.

The owner of Sobr, Kate Kenyon, issued a statement following her manager’s conviction and said he was being supported.

She said: ‘Some of you may have seen the news this morning regarding our general manager’s recent drink driving conviction. We pride ourselves on openness and honesty, and so we want to share with you an update.

‘Hayden wrote off his car in March after driving home well over the limit and was convicted on Tuesday.

‘For us as an alcohol-free bar, it was really disheartening to hear what had happened, however it further goes to show the weight that alcohol can hold and the impact it can have.

‘No matter where someone works, what they do for a living or how – from the outside – they appear to have the perfect life.

‘Alcohol abuse does not discriminate and can impact anyone.

‘It affects over 20 per cent of Scotland’s population and it’s why somewhere like Sobr is so important.’

The bar said Geraghty was being supported personally and professionally, and he will continue working at the venue.

Ms Kenyon added: ‘As a sober bar that has tried so hard to create a safe space for those who want to remove alcohol from their lives, we will continue to support Hayden through this as much as we can.

‘He understands the significance and consequences of his actions, and is incredibly remorseful he stepped into his car that night.

‘Since the incident, Hayden has been upfront and honest with us about what he has been going through, which has been greatly appreciated.

‘He is working through this personally and is getting the right support from those around him, and services available to him.

‘Hayden will continue to work at the bar during this time and we ask you to be kind to him when you visit.

‘Alcohol has a cultural and societal grip on us and it’s something we want to change.

‘Sobr’s mission is to show that you can have a great night out without alcohol.

‘It’s about connection, community and offering space free from the pressures of alcohol.’

Sobr opened last year and has a expansive menu full of alcohol-free cocktails, wine, beer and spirits.