Drink driver rumbled during pit- stop

Eagle- eyed Kwik Fit mechanics rumbled a dozy drink driver when he reversed into a bollard during a pit- stop to have a tyre changed.

And Lewis Jones, who was nearly five times the legal drink drive limit, pushed his luck even further when he returned to Kwik Fit an hour later.

But his luck ran out at Ayr Sheriff Court on Tuesday when he was handed a lengthy ban

Jones, 23, of Lochlibo Road, Irvine, pleaded guilty to driving on Prestwick Road, Ayr, on March 30 this year with 99 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

It was revealed in court that Jones has previous driving convictions.

Fiscal Depute Laurin Campbell told the court: “Witnesses were at work in Kwik Fit after about 4.15pm and saw a male driving in to have a tyre replaced.

“During the course of that, the male was hanging around asking questions over and over and they became suspicious of his fitness to drive. Police were contacted and the male sat within the car before starting to reverse the car and hit a bollard.

“He returned to Kwik- Fit at 5.15pm and police attended.”

Jones’ defence solicitor said to Sheriff Mhari Mactaggart: “He’s been advised by me that his disqualification will be extensive.

“He’s already lost his employment. And it’s fair to say that his father is very disappointed.

“But nobody is more disappointed than himself. He’s thoroughly ashamed, coming before the court and I think I have been able to bring it home to him the seriousness of this matter.

Sheriff Mhari Mactaggart told Jones: “You are right on the cusp ( of a jail sentence) because of your previous conviction.

“You need to address this or you will live a life of misery.” Jones was banned from the roads for three years and sentenced to an

18- month community payback order and 150 hours of unpaid work.