A sozzled driver who wrote his car off after crashing into a central reservation, causing it to burst into flames, has been banned from the roads for 20 months.
Jordan McDonald was over five times the legal drink-drive limit when he smashed his Vauxhall Corsa into a central reservation in Paisley’s Glasgow Road – causing a concerned member of the public to wave down cops as the motor was engulfed in flames.
After the emergency services managed to pull McDonald, 36, from his burning vehicle, cops found a number of empty booze bottles inside the car, alongside a full bottle of Corona.
Prosecutor Jason Stark told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 10.25pm on September 23, police were on mobile patrol when they were alerted by a member of the public who stated a vehicle had crashed and was on fire.
“Police officers requested the fire service to attend and they sent out a crew.
“Police officers made their way to the black Vauxhall Corsa which was in the central reservation and officers observed the accused in the driver seat of the car.
“McDonald refused to leave the vehicle when asked to by officers and so he was removed for his own safety.
“Officers detected a strong smell of alcohol coming from him. He was cautioned under common law and he stated, ‘I know I f****d up”.
“A roadside test was carried out which McDonald failed and he was informed he was under arrest and taken to the police station.
“Officers found several alcoholic drink bottles empty within the vehicle, as well as a bottle of wine and a full bottle of Corona beer, which were all seized.
“He was taken to Greenock police station, when he gave a breath sample giving the reading of 118mg. He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”
The legal limit is 22mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Defence agent Katie Wilson explained McDonald “recognises” the “extremely high reading” and that he has “accepted responsibility” for his actions.
Ms Wilson explained McDonald had turned to drink following the loss of a loved one and added: “He was a young man who was brought up by his grandmother and shortly before this incident, she sadly passed away and, as a result, he began drinking heavily.
“On this day, he had been drinking alone and a friend had asked him to go to his house.
“He foolishly made the regrettable decision to get behind the wheel and this happened when he was on his way to that friend’s house.
“He is aware that this could have had even more serious consequences and in the immediate aftermath he sought assistance from his GP and has stopped drinking.”
Ms Wilson added that, although unemployed at the time, McDonald hopes to start a new job next month down south and is looking forward to a “fresh start”.
Sentencing, Sheriff Laura Mundell said: “This is an extremely high reading and it is very concerning.
“It was only a matter of chance and sheer fortune that no innocent persons or other drivers were harmed in this foolish decision you made to get behind the wheel while under the influence.”
Sheriff Mundell banned McDonald from driving for 20 months.
McDonald, of Moss Heights Avenue in Cardonald, Glasgow was put forward for the drink-drive rehabilitation programme which, if he successfully completes, will reduce his ban by five months.
In addition, he was fined £640, reduced from £900 to reflect his early guilty plea.
Sheriff Mundell ordered he pay this at the rate of £10 per week.
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