A MAN who appeared in court under the influence charged with drink driving, has been banned from the roads for 10 years.

Steven Bell of Westwood Avenue, Ayr admitted driving on Westwood Avenue and Arrol Drive after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath was 108 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath which exceeded the prescribed limit, 22 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 ml of breath in June this year.

The 48-year-old further admitted driving when his licence has expired and without insurance. Bell appeared before Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart at Ayr Sheriff Court last Tuesday. September 6. 

The court heard how Bell had had a drink that morning.

Speaking on his behalf defence solicitor Ms Galloway said: "He benefits from a supportive family. He works has a mechanical engineer but has not been in employment due to his poor health.

"He drank for the first time in 18 months and acknowledges he was not thinking clearly. He drove to his parents house. His kidney function is eight per cent or less. He will never receive a transplant. He had a heart attack and is on dialysis.

"He suffers from quite high blood pressure and depression. His offending is sporadic, his last offence was in 2013.He is very fearful of a custodial sentence and has never been to prison."

Sheriff MacTagarrt said: "What concerns me is what you said earlier that he had a drink. I am prepared to give serious thought to a community payback order. I am not going to sentence him today because he has taken alcohol.

"Do not come into my court having consumed alcohol."

Bell appeared again before Sheriff MacTaggart last Thursday. 

Ms Galloway said: "My client wishes to apologise for his condition on Tuesday. [On the night in question] He had been in an argument and was trying to get away from it. He made the stupid decision to drive the car."

MacTaggart disqualified Bell from driving for 10 years and placed him on an 18 month supervision order.