A labourer was three and a half times the legal limit when he crashed his car on an Ayr road after getting behind the wheel.
Kieran Kirkland, 26, crashed his car on Dunure Road, Ayr, on September 3, 2021, after leaving nearby Craig Tara in an attempt to go to the aid of his pregnant partner.
A breath test flagged that Kirkland, of Main Street in Auchinleck, had 75 microgrammes of alcohol in 100mls of breath, exceeding the limit of 22.
Police were notified of the accident by a member of the public who saw the vehicle crashed and abandoned.
Upon attending the scene, police carried out a search and spotted two males and two females nearby, with Kirkland approaching officers to identify himself as the driver.
Officers noticed that he was staggering and slurring his words.
Dad-of-one Kirkland was breathalysed and taken to Kilmarnock Police Office where he was cautioned and charged.
Solicitor Tony Currie said: “He’s in a long term relationship and he’s recently become a father for the first time.
“Mr Kirkland had been at Craig Tara staying the night. His long term partner, who was expecting their child, remained at home.
“He tells me he had received a call from her saying that she was suffering from stomach pains.
“He left the park with the intention of going to his partner.
“He had consumed some alcohol earlier in the evening. It was an error of judgement, and that led to the accident that was described.
“He waited for the police. It was a significant error of judgement on his part. He panicked due to his pregnant partner."
Mr Currie added: “He was employed until recently as a labourer with a company and was offered an adult apprenticeship which he had taken up, but unfortunately he anticipates that can’t continue given the inevitable disqualification from driving for this offence.”
Sentencing Kirkland, the Sheriff told him: “This was clearly a significant error of judgement on your part.
“You’re lucky that something more serious didn’t happen — you could have injured yourself or someone else.”
Kirkland was fined £200 with a £10 surcharge and disqualified from driving for 18 months.
His period of disqualification could be reduced by four months if he completes the Drink Drivers Rehabilitation Scheme.
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