A MAN has been fined after he decided that getting a lift home was more important than carrying out jury service.

Hugh Grant, 56, of West Kilbride, was selected for a jury at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court back in August.

But during the morning proceedings, Grant asked to go to the toilet – then failed to return.

Calls were made in the court building but to no avail.

Grant later called the court and said that it was pouring with rain and that he had the chance of a lift home.

He decided to “jump in the motor” and go home as he wasn’t prepared to “hang about” and miss a lift.

Grant terminated the phone call when he was told that his behaviour was considered to be in contempt of court.

He failed to appear at a hearing on August 7 to explain his behaviour and was last week fined £500 for the offence.