Alcohol-Free Bar Manager Convicted of Drunk Driving

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The general manager of an alcohol-free bar in Aberdeen, Scotland, has been convicted of drunk driving after being found more than four times over the legal limit following a crash.

According to reporting from Dexerto, 33-year-old Hayden Geraghty, who manages Sobr, admitted to the offense, which took place on March 7.

Geraghty was banned from driving for one year and fined a total of £520 (approximately $700).

Court filings stated that Geraghty had 99 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 22 micrograms. Local outlet Press and Journal reported he was found “slumped over the wheel” of his crashed vehicle.

The case has drawn attention due to Geraghty’s role at a venue that focuses on alcohol-free drinking experiences.

Following the conviction, Sobr issued the following statement on Instagram:

“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% of Scotland’s population and it’s why somewhere like SOBR is so important. We understand – and know all too well – how alcohol abuse can affect not just the life of the person going through it but of their family, friends and colleagues too.

“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.”