A bingo manager has been banned from driving after there were no “lucky numbers” for him when he was caught drink-driving.
James Simpson, 24, was almost three times the legal drink-drive limit on January 29, when cops caught him behind the wheel the morning after a night of drinking with friends.
Simpson, of Campsie Drive in the town, admitted at Paisley Sheriff Court he drove on various Paisley roads while the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 61mg. The legal limit is 22mg.
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The court heard: “Around 6.40am on Saturday, January 29, police witnesses were travelling westbound on the Hurlet Road towards Paisley.
“Officers observed a white Volkswagen Polo with the accused driving and no passengers within.
“The accused approached a roundabout and took a left towards Grahamston Road.
“Police contacted 999 as they believed the driver may be under the influence.
“Police were actioned to attend.
“The accused was stopped by a marked vehicle and turned off his ignition and exited the car as requested by police.
“Officers observed the accused to be unsteady on his feet, was slurring his words and there was a strong smell of alcohol.
“Simpson provided a sample of breath which failed the roadside breath test and he was arrested and taken to Greenock police station.
“Here, he provided a further two specimens of breath and he was then cautioned and charged and made no reply.”
Defence agent Terry Gallanagh told the court Simpson had made a “significant error of judgement” when he decided to drive home after drinking with friends the night before.
Mr Gallanagh said: “This man has never been in trouble before and the night prior to this incident, he had been in a friend’s house and in the morning he found his friend wasn’t there and so he foolishly took his car rather than calling a taxi.
“He is of a good family and his father is extremely disappointed in his son’s actions.
“He is a manager at a bingo hall and unfortunately there were no lucky numbers for him on January 29.”
Sheriff Brian Mohan told Simpson: “This was a grave error of judgement that could of been catastrophic given you were driving at six in the morning with alcohol in your system.”
Sheriff Mohan banned Simpson from driving for 12 months that can be reduced to nine months if he completes the drink-drive rehabilitation course.
In addition, Simpson was fined £420 to be paid at £100 per month.
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