A MAN has admitted to being almost FOUR TIMES the legal drink limit for a five-minute drive home.

James McKenna pleaded guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on June 25 to having 79mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, when the limit is just 22mg.

The 61-year-old has never been in trouble before, the court heard, but was seen by police driving around 2.45am on May 25.

Officers spotted him in Kilbowie Road without his lights on. When they stopped him, they detected a strong smell of alcohol, heard the court.

He told police he had last had a drink around 11pm. When he was cautioned and charged, he replied: "I'm sorry."

Defence solicitor Kris Buchanan told the court his client had gone to the pub to meet a friend he hadn't seen in some time. He was a 20-minute walk or five-minute drive from his home in Montrose Street, Clydebank.

McKenna's plan, he said had been to return for his vehicle the next day. But he struggled to get a taxi after leaving the pub and was sitting in his car waiting without success.

"He decided to wait, and foolishly there came a point he decided not to wait any further," said Mr Buchanan. "He accepts he is the author of his own misfortune.

"He said he had a few pints and doesn't recall saying his last was around 11pm.

"He has never been in court before. He has been terrified - he knows it's a serious matter. 

"Knowing he would lose his licence, the vehicle has been sold."

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said: "You were driving approaching four times the legal limit."

He said the short distance of the potential drive made no difference, and it was "lucky" he was stopped by police before anything else happened.

McKenna was banned from driving for 26 months, but he can reduce that by six if he completes a drink driver rehabilitation course.

He was also fined £400 plus a £40 victim surcharge.