Drugged-up driver had no licence or insurance

Banned – but he keeps car

A motorist was caught drug- driving only six weeks after buying a new car

Brian Carty, 44, put lives at risk by getting behind the wheel while high and without insurance or a valid licence.

Prosecutors moved to seize the £10,000 Vauxhall Mokka – but he has been allowed to keep it.

Carty admitted a slew of driving offences when he was hauled into the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Defence lawyer Bob Kerr insisted his client should be allowed to keep the car despite being slapped with a road ban.

He said: “He received payment of £ 16,000 from an insurance company in regards to a back injury he suffered.

“He squandered some of the money on drugs.

“He moved to Scotland to get away from it and spent £10,000 on a car so he didn’t waste it.”

The builder runs his own firm and moved to Paisley from Bournemouth.

He was caught in the car on Renfrew Road on August 18 last year.

Cops found him under the influence of drugs, sitting in the front seat. Security checks proved he did not have a licence or insurance cover.

Mr Kerr urged the court to spare his client jail and revealed he has moved from the town back to England.

He added: “He could be given unpaid work. He has to arrange his work and childcare commitments around work. He’s of no use to anybody if he’s in custody.”

The Crown called for the motor to be handed over as part of the sentence.

But Sheriff Colin Pettigrew slapped him with 225 hours of community service.

He said: “I am understandably concerned that it was an illicit substance.

“I must have uppermost in my mind the safety of the public.

“I am satisfied on this occasion it is not necessary and would be disproportionate for you to have to forfeit the vehicle.”

Carty, formerly of Maxwellton Street, has been disqualified from driving for 22 months.