A BEREAVED Hillfoots man got behind the wheel while more than four times the legal drink-driving limit.

Robert O'Shea, of James Pollock Court, Tillicoultry, was said to be acting "out of character" when he drove while under the influence of alcohol.

Indeed, it was the first time the 60-year-old had come before the courts, and was said to have occurred following the death of his partner.

Nevertheless, the serious nature of the offence was underlined by Sheriff Neil Bowie, presiding.

He told the accused that his actions could have had major consequences for himself or others.

O'Shea previously admitted that on May 20, on Main Street, Sauchie, he drove a vehicle while having consumed excess alcohol.

His reading was 307 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine, well beyond the legal limit set at 67 milligrammes.

As a result, he appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court for sentencing last Thursday, February 24.

Defence solicitor Robert Smith said: "He's deeply remorseful and this is extremely out of character. He's a first offender at the age of 60."

His client had started drinking heavily following the death of his partner, the solicitor continued.

On this occasion he had left his car outside a pub where he had been drinking the night before.

He had gone back to retrieve the vehicle the next day, but had then started drinking in the pub again before driving.

"He's appalled by his behaviour," added Mr Smith.

Sheriff Neil Bowie told O'Shea: "You made a flippant remark to police saying it wasn't the worst crime in the world. This incident could have had very serious consequences for the public and other road users."

O'Shea was disqualified from driving for two years and until he passes the extended test.

The sheriff also imposed a community payback order with 75 hours of unpaid work.