A DRINK driver has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel over five times the limit.

On Thursday at Alloa Sheriff Court, Colin Birrell admitted driving a car with 118 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – which exceeded the limit of 22mg – along Benview Terrace in Fishcross on February 9 this year.

Fiscal depute Ruairidh Ferguson told the court that police received a call reporting a male driving in Sauchie under the influence.

At around 1.50am, police spotted the accused driving in Fishcross “very slowly and carefully”.

The officers pulled Birrell over to which the 51-year-old got out of his vehicle. Police could smell alcohol. He was also unsteady on his feet and was slurring his words.

Birrell admitted having a drink an hour before. He failed the roadside test and at Stirling Police Station he was found to have 118 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Defence agent Robert Smith claimed that Birrell, of Park Drive in Leven, was visiting friends in Sauchie and had intended to stay over.

After consuming alcohol his friends had a falling out, so he left the house and walked around Sauchie for a while.

When he returned he could not get back in, so decided to drive home.

Mr Smith said: “He realises it was a catastrophe and stupid decision to make.”

Sheriff David Mackie refused the Crown’s motion for the forfeiture of Birrell’s vehicle, but fined him £500 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months backdated to February 10.