A MAN who was behind the wheel whilst five times the legal limit is now facing sentencing for his third drink driving offence.

John Young, 61, pleaded guilty to the offence at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, April 25.

He was reported to police on March 30 this year after witnesses noticed he was barely able to park his car whilst at Morrisons.

When the vehicle eventually came to a stop, the witnesses approached Young to check if he was okay.

Depute fiscal Susannah Hutchison said they observed he was “unsteady on his feet and was smelling of alcohol.”

They contacted the authorities over the incident, and police managed to trace Young and his car to an address in Alloa later that day.

A breath sample he provided indicated that he had 125 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – well over the limit of 22 mcg.

Young was then arrested, and made no reply when cautioned and charged.

In court on Thursday, his solicitor Aime Allan revealed that he has been convicted of similar crimes already, stating: “This is now his third drink driving offence.”

In mitigation, she said: “It is clear he has an issue with alcohol consumption, and he has struggled to admit this in the past.

“But he is now prepared to admit it.”

Aware that the Crown had entered a motion to have Young’s vehicle seized, Mrs Allan also stated that he no longer owns the car as he had sold it.

Sheriff David Mackie said he would defer sentencing Young, of Lomond Court in Alloa, for the preparation of a Criminal Justice Social Work report.

He also imposed an interim disqualification from driving, and refused the Crown’s motion for the seizure of the vehicle.

Young will be sentenced on May 23.