A Kilwinning man who drove a car while more than twice the limit has been banned from driving for more than a year.

Gary McKerroll had 52 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when he got into his girlfriend’s car at his home in Newark. The legal limit in Scotland is 22 microgrammes in 100.

McKerroll pled guilty to the charge at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week.

He also admitted to driving a vehicle without supervision while holding a provisional a licence and to using a car without insurance.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Stuart McMillan told the court that shortly after midnight on October 19, McKerroll and his partner started arguing.

The fiscal said: “I understand the dispute was over some food. The accused left, taking the lady’s car keys.”

McKerroll returned home but left again in the vehicle following a further dispute.

Mr McMillan continued: “Police were contacted and they traced the accused and his offences came to light.”

Defending McKerroll, solicitor Martin Duffy said: “He’s a 37-year-old man, recently paid off from a slaughter house in Ardrossan where he had been for some 20 years. He hasn’t gone on benefits, he tells me because he is actively seeking other employment.

“You’ll see from the record that he’s been out of bother since 2007.”

Mr Duffy said that the argument between McKerroll and his partner had been sparked after the pair had been drinking.

The solicitor added: “He had not been eating his fair share and she was concerned and he seems to have taken umbrage at that and what happened next, you already know about.”

Mr Duffy also said: “It’s apparent from the evidence that he’s complied with everything and he’s pled guilty. I would ask the court to take that into consideration.

“He’s continuing to be paid for another fortnight. After that he’s going to have to make other arrangements.”

Sheriff Michael Hanlon fined McKerroll £300 and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a licence for 14 months.

The sheriff also ordered him to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work in the community.

McKerroll was admonished on the charge of driving without supervision with a provisional licence.