EIGHT times over

A banned drink driver’s eight times over the limit breathalyser reading could be one of the highest seen in Ayrshire.

Top surveyor Peter Muir, 48, admitted getting behind the wheel drunk at Bowman Road in Ayr on November 5.

A roadside test conducted by police showed he had a shocking 176 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath . Only 22 microgrammes is allowed.

Sheriff Linda Nicholson described the reading as exceptional in her experience and branded Muir out of control.

Remanding him in custody, the Sheriff said she was considering the safety of the public.

Appearing at Ayr Sheriff Court on Monday, represented by lawyer Peter Lockhart, Muir also pled guilty to struggling with his former wife Lorna Muir and seizing the phone from her when she tried to call the police on the same date.

Sentencing has been deferred until later in the month for a report to be prepared.

Only two weeks ago Muir was sentenced for drink driving and assaulting his wife.

He had been ordered to carry out 220 hours unpaid work , attend alcohol counselling and was disqualified from driving for two years.