A MAN relieved himself in the back of a police car after being caught carelessly driving in Stevenston.

Malcolm Lennox crashed into a stationary car on a roundabout on the A78 south on July 1 this year after he drove into the centre of the roundabout.

Later that same day the 49-year-old then stated to police officers on Station Road in the town that his name was Dave and refused to do a roadside breath test.

When Lennox, of Beattie Court, was taken to Saltcoats police station he made derogatory remarks towards a police officer, challenged him to a fight and urinated in the vehicle.

When he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Wednesday he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a vehicle carelessly, admitting to possession of cannabis, attempting to pervert the course of justice and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards police officers.

At the hearing, Lennox's defence lawyer explained in the hearing that shortly before the incident he had been suffering from the death of a close friend.

He said: "I don't think it is an understatement to say that Mr Lennox is racked with guilt.

"He questions himself everyday over whether or not he should have done something more or should have known. He has come to terms with that particular situation.

"He tells me on that day he was preoccupied with that situation and was paying sufficient attention of his whereabouts on the road. 

"He advises me that immediately following that incident there was an issue with the driver of the other vehicle.

"There was effectively an altercation and he thought the best thing to do was make his way off from the situation. 

"He knows that his behaviour was completely unacceptable. He recognises the gravity of this matter.

"He has taken steps himself without a court order to address these issues. 

"His licence is very important to him given the plea and lack of  I think disqualification is not applicable. It is a situation where he has significant caring responsibilities."

Sheriff Laura Mundell said: "I have taken careful note of everything your solicitor has asked to take into account. These were serious matters and you acknowledge that.

"I am right on the brink of disqualifying you from driving. I have just by the narrow of margins not to disqualify you.

"Your driving conduct requires you to be impeccable because the slightest driving offence will immediately disqualify you. 

"I am giving you a chance that you may not have depending on the view of a different sheriff."

The sheriff put nine penalty points on his licence.

He was also placed on a community payback order of social work supervision for 12 months and ordered to complete 162 hours of unpaid work over the same period.