A  COYLTON man has been disqualified from driving for one year and fined £500.

George Harvie, pled guilty to driving his car after consuming so much alcohol that his breath was 79 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit of 22 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath, along Hamilton Place, Coylton.

The 58-year-old appeared before Sheriff Leslie at Ayr Sheriff Court last Wednesday, March 30.

The court heard on that night police officers has been on patrol around 2am they had been informed that Harvie was drink driving.

They found Harvie drink driving near his address and was taken to Ayr Police Office and breathalysed.

Speaking on his behalf defence solicitor Colin Adam, said: "He is 58 years old, employed and lives and cares for this mother.

“There are circumstances as he is quite unwell. At the time this offence happened the accused was seeing a local woman. 

“They had been out in Glasgow. He was supposed to stay at her house. But he ended up going home after getting into an argument about her son which he does not get on with.

“He had hoped that she would have calmed down but was confronted by the son and was pushed to the ground by him.

“He ended up driving home in the early hours of the morning. He has no previous convictions, not even an endorsement on his license. He was in a difficult position but accepts that he should have made other arrangements.

“He has medical problems of his own. Can I suggest that a period of disqualification and a fine be sufficient.”

Harvie will pay his fine of £500 at £100 per month. The court has now ordered an endorsement on his licence in respect of the charge.