A DRUNK driver who was four times over the limit while speeding around Clackmannanshire has been banned from the road for the next three years.

Ross Baillie, 26, was spotted drinking from a bottle of cider, while racing through the county on a Sunday afternoon.

Police received 11 separate calls about a car travelling around Clacks at "excessive speeds" on March 13 earlier this year.

He was arrested and found to have an intoxication level at 88mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath – well over the 22mcg limit.

Sentenced was then deferred until Thursday last week at Alloa Sheriff Court.

Depute fiscal Ruairidh Ferguson said: "The accused was seen driving at excessive speeds, in particular on Devon Way, Clackmannan, where he mounted the curb before driving off towards the Marywood Roundabout.

"He was also seen on the Clackmannanshire Bridge, again driving at excessive speeds, and at the Longannet Roundabout he was observed by witnesses drinking from a bottle of cider.

"The driving came to an end at around 4.20pm on Stirling Road in Larbert. He mounted the pavement there and was seen to stumble from the driver's door and walk towards witnesses. He was immediately seen to be under the influence of alcohol."

Baillie was arrested and, during his police interview, told officers: "Aye, fair enough. It was me. I was doing a bit of dangerous driving."

When cautioned and charged, he responded: "It wasnae me that was driving... Can I change that? It was me that was driving."

Bailie had initially been charged with urinating in "such circumstances as to cause or to be likely to cause annoyance to another person" in Devon Way.

However, the charge was dropped before last Thursday's hearing.

His defence agent Kelly Howe told the court that her client had moved to the Wee County from Ayrshire for family reasons, but at the time of the offence was struggling with the breakdown of a relationship.

She added: "It's not lost on him that this is a serious matter but he has demonstrated an appropriate attitude to his offending."

Ms Howe also said the Baillie appeared in court in early June, to face a charge of shoplifting and another for threatening and abusive behaviour.

On that occasion, he was given a Community Payback Order of 12 months' supervision by Sheriff McMillan.

Last Thursday, Sheriff David Mackie told Baillie: "I want you to understand where you stand here. With the record you have and nature of the offence, namely dangerous driving while drinking alcohol, you are facing jail.

"That's something I've had to think very hard about, but it's not going to happen today. I will let you deal with this in the community.

"Jail will likely be the consequence should anything like this happen again."

He added: "To be clear, you are now a person who cannot drive under any circumstances. If you do, there will be very serious circumstances."

Baillie, whose address was given as Woodburn Court, Darvel, was handed another CPO with a requirement to carry out 240 hours' unpaid work.

He was also banned from the road for three years and will be required to re-sit his extended driving test before obtain a license in the future.