A joiner who decided to get behind the wheel after a Monday night booze session changed his mind mid-journey - and ditched his car in the middle of the road.
Steven McAuley spent his 33rd birthday at Paisley Sheriff Court and admitted driving while under the influence of alcohol on April 11.
The dad was almost five times over the legal drink drive limit, with 105mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when he made the decision to get behind the wheel, reports the Paisley Daily Express.
The legal limit is 22mg.
Prosecutor Amber Feeney told the court: “Around 11.50pm the police were tasked to attend Neilston Road in Paisley after receiving an anonymous call stating there was a black Ford Focus stopped in the central reservation.
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“Police attended and traced the accused outside the car with the keys in his hand.
“Officers noted McAuley’s eyes were glazed and they could detect a smell of alcohol form him.
“Two readings were provided which tested positive for alcohol.
“The accused was cautioned and charged and replied: ‘hee-haw, I f****d it mate.’”
Defence agent Mr Brown explained McAuley has a previous conviction for speeding and that he was standing in the dock on his birthday.
Mr Brown said: “He is at a loss to explain his behaviour.
“It was a Monday night and after work he had gone to the pub, his tools were in the car and he had drank a considerable amount, and rather than carry his tools home the short distance, he foolishly made the decision to drive.
“One thing in his favour is that he made the decision that he wasn’t fit to drive and stopped the car.
“He recognised there could have been more serious consequences.
“His partner has just recently passed her test and now as a result of this offence she will have to be the one that drives the couple’s daughter about.
“There isn’t an underlying issue here, he made a terrible decision on this particular night and he will pay the consequences for that.”
On sentencing, Sheriff Lindsay Kooner said: “It does appear that at stage on the way home you exited the vehicle.
“I trust the remarks you made towards officers is indicative of the predicament you find yourself in and not a flippant remark.”
Sheriff Kooner banned McAuley from driving for 20 months. If he successfully completes the drink drive rehabilitation programme, a reduction of five months will be applied.
In addition, he was fined £485 and ordered to pay this at the rate of £100 per month.
