Sheriff tells drink driver to pay up ... or go to jail

Last chance for joiner

A joiner has been hammered with a £ 2,000 fine after flouting a court order to do unpaid work.

Craig Stewart, 28, was given the punishment after he was caught drink driving in Mill Street, Paisley, on May 17.

The town’s sheriff court heard the self-employed tradesman had been looking after his sick mother, so hadn’t done the work.

This week, Stewart, of Gladstone Avenue, Johnstone, admitted breaching the community payback order, when he appeared in court before Sheriff James Spy.

Defence agent Miss Ahmed told the court : “He has been looking after his mum, who has been become severely ill and is registered as disabled. His father left earlier this year.

“He has been caring for her at a high level and, as he works as a selfemployed joiner, he is not making various excuses.

“He admits he failed to attend appointments.

“He feels embarrassed by this and did not tell social workers about his dad leaving home.”

Stewart had previously admitted driving his Ford Transit van in Paisley with 27 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 22 mcg.

His lawyer added that Stewart was admitting breaching the order, but added he was “struggling” with his job and caring for his mother.

However, Sheriff Spy said his options were limited because Stewart, who has pre v i o u s convictions, was handed the punishment as an alternative to custody.

He said: “I would not impose another order here as you would simply fail again and would be sent to prison.

“Howe v e r, I am prepared to give you a final opportunity and I will impose fine of £2,000.”

He added: “If you do not pay the fine, you will be sending yourself to prison.”

Stewart was ordered to pay the fine at £50 a week.