Grossly intoxicated John Miller, had his head ‘fully’ on the reception area counter as he snoozed after staggering in to report a ‘hit and run’ on his vehicle. But a civilian desk attendant let the 43-year-old leave after he’d woken up — despite his slurred speech and slow responses — before officers were finally alerted to him.

Miller — who is said to have an ‘horrendous’ record for motoring convictions — was later spotted driving a grey-coloured Vauxhall Corsa SXI in Greenock’s Kilblain Street.

Prosecutor Kevin Doherty — who described the circumstances of the case as ‘slightly unusual’ — told how Miller went to the police office in Rue End Street, pictured, at 10.30pm on 4 September.

Mr Doherty said: “He was reporting an alleged hit and run involving his vehicle.

“He spoke to a civilian staff member at the counter and it was noticed that Mr Miller was slow to speak and respond. He fell asleep, with his head fully on the front desk.” The fiscal depute told Greenock Sheriff Court how staff were ‘concerned that Mr Miller was intending to drive his car’ and issued a ‘lookout broadcast’ — after he’d left the station.

Mr Doherty said: “The call was taken so seriously that numerous officers were involved.

“Mr Miller’s car was spotted in Kilblain Street and was stopped. Officers noted that he was slow to speak, was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet.” Miller tested negative for alcohol but was later deemed by a police casualty surgeon to be under the influence of drugs.

A sample of his urine showed that he had amphetamine, diazepam, desmethyldiazepam, temazepam, oxazepam and etizolam in his body.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton told Miller: “You have an horrendous driving record and you had a cocktail of drugs in your system.

“I think I would be entitled to impose a custodial sentence, but am persuaded by the background report that you should get some sort of community disposal.” Miller, of Dempster Street, Greenock, was placed under strict supervision for two years and ordered to undertake any drug treatment programmes deemed necessary by social workers.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months.

The sheriff warned him: “If you do not co-operate you will come back here and it is likely you will be placed in custody.”