Oil worker was five times over the limit

Accused was collared after car trip for bag of chips

A boozy oil worker was nabbed behind the wheel of his car after nipping out for a bag of chips.

The high-earning pipe fitting expert had downed more than five times the drink drive limit of booze when he decided to satisfy his craving for the greasy snack.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard yesterday that Patrick Cairney was “unsteady on his feet” after driving from his home in the town’s Osprey Crescent.

The 58- year- old, who works in the Middle East, had been drinking while watching football at his home on June 12.

He appeared shame-faced in the dock to plead guilty to being over the limit in Springbank Road.

His lawyer Terry Gallanagh insisted that it is completely out of character for Cairney to have acted as he did.

He explained: “It is a moment of gross stupidity – a terrible error.

“He tells me that even today, it makes him feel sick when he thinks what he did.”

The solicitor said that Cairney does not have any underlying drink-related issues.

Mr Gallanagh said: “He frequently works abroad for five weeks at a time and abstains fully.”

Cairney admitted driving his car while he had 112 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath, exceeding the legal limit of 22.

The court was told that police intercepted him just before midnight.

After learning that Cairney has a substantial income from his position as a highly-regarded expert on oil pipelines, Sheriff Vicent Canavan fined him £1,800 and ordered him to pay the financial penalty at £200 per month.

Cairney was disqualified from driving for eighteen months due to the high reading.