Driver banned after ‘showing off to the birds’

Motorist was four times over the limit

A drink-driver caught almost four times over the limit after claiming he was“showing off” to women has been banned from the roads and fitted with an electronic tag.

Boozy Paul Markie, 28, was pulled over by the cops after tearing down Paisley’s High Street at excessive speed in the early hours of the morning last February 19.

Markie, of Cowal Drive, Linwood, was showing off at the wheel of his green Ford Focus when officers switched on their flashing lights and siren and stopped him for a roadside check.

The accused blew a breath test with a reading of 85 microgrammes of alcohol per 100mls of breath, when the legal limit is 22.

A police computer check also discovered he was driving without insurance.

Yesterday, he appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to charges of drink driving and driving without insurance.

The court heard when police pulled him over, he said: “I have had a few cans as well.”

And when taken into custody at Govan Police station he said: “I was showing off in front of the birds.”

Defence agent Alistair Gray urged the court to consider a non-custodial sentence given his early plea of guilty and his honesty to officers.

He said: “The accused pleaded guilty at an undertaking in March which was the first calling of the case.

“He is a 28- year- old man who suffers from depression and anxiety.

“He has an eight-year-old daughter from a previous relationship whom he continues to see, and I would urge the court to consider a communitybased disposal for these offences.”

He added that Markie had admitted making an error of judgement to the police.

Sheriff Robert Fife said he was handing the accused a Restriction of Liberty Order and an electronic tag for three months which require he stays indoors between 8pm and 7am.

He said: “You will also be disqualified from driving for six months for the first driving offence and 18 months for the second. These terms will be concurrent, meaning the length of your disqualification will be 18 months.”

Markie was told on his successful completion of the drink- driving rehabilitation course, he would eligible to reduce his ban by 25 per cent.