A DRIVER who twice crashed a car and was caught with either drink or drugs in his system within days has been banned from the roads.
Stephen Took previously pleaded guilty to driving on April 10 without due care and attention and causing his car to hit a parked vehicle.
In the crash on Carment Drive, Stevenston, he had more than twice the legal level of THC in his system.
He had 5.2mg per litre of blood when the limit is 2mg.
The limit for benzoylecgonine - the main metabolite of cocaine - is 50mg per litre of blood and Took had not less than 142mg in his system.
Then, on April 25, on Limekilm Road, Stevenston, where he lives, he drove without due care and attention and collided with another driver, damaging both vehicles.
He was found to have 60mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 22mg.
Took, 34, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on October 28 for sentencing.
His defence solicitor said his client had "taken full responsibility" and reflected on how serious the collisions could have been.
"He has taken significant steps to deal with addiction issues," he said.
"He is supported significantly by Veterans First.
"He is aware the disqualification [from driving] has to be substantial.
"He recognises he will be off the road for a considerable amount of time.
"He would be in a position to do unpaid work and I'm confident work could be found to allow him to repay his debt to society."
Sheriff Murdoch Mactaggart put him under two overlapping community payback orders, both for 12 months.
One requires him to take drug treatment, the other alcohol.
He must do a total of 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.
He was banned from driving for a year on the April 10 charge.
But he then drove carelessly and under the influence again.
So the second case saw him banned for three years.
He will also be under curfew from 7pm to 7am for four months.
And he must pay a fine of £800, plus a £40 victim surcharge.
It is a direct alternative to custody.
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