A man who was caught driving at more than five times the limit has been banned from driving for three years but has been allowed to keep his vehicle so that his family can still use it.

Michael Reid, of Montgomerie Terrace in Kilwinning, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff court last week for sentencing, having previously pled guilty to one charge.

On September 1 on a road or other public place, namely Kilwinning Road in Irvine, Reid drove a car after consuming so much alcohol that he had 127 micrograms of drink in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal drink-drive limit in Scotland is 22 micrograms within 100 millilitres of breath.

Last week, the Procurator Fiscal made a motion to the court for the forfeiture of Reid’s vehicle. But defence solicitor Brian Holliman said that while his client understood that he was likely to be disqualified from driving, forfeiture of his car would have an impact on his family who also rely on the vehicle.

Mr Holliman added: “This is his second conviction. He has a problem with alcohol. The author of the social work report said he now identifies that he needs to do something and he intends to do so.

“He’s fit and able to take part in unpaid work. Forfeiture is disproportionate in relation to the offence. He’s going to be off the road for a significant amount of time.”

Sheriff Michael Hanlon told Reid: “First of all, given your previous conviction there’s a minimum disqualification of three years from today’s date. I’m also going to impose a Community Payback Order. That’s going to include the unpaid work requirement.

“I’ll take into account your plea of guilty. I’m not going to order forfeiture of the vehicle.”

Reid was ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work within six months and was fined £660, reduced from £1,000.