Unpaid work and driving ban

A Killearn drink-driver damaged the door of a Drymen house and smashed the window of a car parked outside during an outburst in the early hours.

Stephen Bailey, of Station Road, had admitted wilfully or recklessly damaging property belonging to another at an address in Old Gartmore Road, Drymen, on July 13 this year and driving in Killearn while the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 44mg in 100ml of breath. The limit being 22mg.

At Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday, fiscal depute Rachel Wallace said a witness named Mcdonald had been within his Drymen home at 1.35am when he heard a vehicle pulling up outside.

He then heard the garden gate opening, followed by loud banging on his front door, which then flew open.

Bailey was stood within the front doorway and shouted at the witness, telling him he had smashed his car window.

Bailey went back into the garden and Mr Mcdonald was able to lock the front door behind him.

However Bailey began banging and kicking on the front door and the witness called 999.

Mr Mcdonald however observed the accused leaving the area.

When police arrived officers saw three holes as well as marks on the lower panel of the front door.

Checks were carried out and a request passed on for officers to look out for a vehicle with a specific registration.

Officers spotted Bailey on

Gartness Road at 2.35am where he was stopped. Ms Wallace said when officers spoke to Bailey they noticed his eyes were glazed and his speech slurred and there was a strong smell of alcohol coming from him, adding:“the police witnesses confirmed the accused had been driving his motor vehicle.”

Questioned by the officers, Bailey told them that he had been drinking three hours before.

He provided a breath sample and made no reply to caution and charge.

Bailey’s lawyer told Sheriff Wyllie Robertson that Bailey had an alcohol problem, and the matter before the court was his client’s second conviction for drink driving.

He added:“when he drinks he drinks to excess.”

The solicitor pointed out that Bailey had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and a social worker had assessed him as being of“minimal risk”of reoffending.

Bailey was educated to degree level and lived with his parents, he said. He was currently looking for employment, but finding a job in his field without a driving licence would be difficult, added the agent.

Sheriff Robertson imposed a community payback order comprising 160 hours’unpaid work on both charges – reduced from 240 hours’due to the timing of the pleas – to be carried out within 12 months. Bailey was also disqualified from driving for 16 months, reduced from 24 months, and his licence ws endorsed.

Planning applications