A CABBIE was on duty behind the wheel of his taxi whilst nearly FIVE-AND-A-HALF times the legal alcohol limit.

James Duffy sat parked on the rank at Port Glasgow's Tesco Extra in the early hours of the morning before staggering into the store.

Duffy, 59 — who had been drinking vodka — was spotted staggering around the aisles by a member of staff, who called the police.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife told Greenock Sheriff Court: "The witness also observed him sitting stationary within his taxi at the taxi rank at the store.

"Police received the call at 5.40am to the effect that a taxi driver, the accused, had been staggering within the store.

"Officers attended to see the accused staggering outwith his car.

"When he saw the police he tried to get back into the cab.

"The police approached him immediately and he stated, 'I've been drinking vodka last night'."

Fiscal depute Ms Scaife added: "The accused's speech was slurred, he was smelling strongly of alcohol and his eyes were glazed.

"He provided a breathalyser sample that was positive for alcohol and he was then conveyed to Greenock police office where the lower reading taken is now before the court.

"Two sets of keys for the taxi were found to be in his possession."

Duffy, of Hillside Drive in Port Glasgow, had 119mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath — the legal limit is 22mcg.

He pleaded guilty to an allegation of being in charge of his taxi whilst intoxicated.

Sheriff Daniel Kelly deferred sentence for a background report and an electronic tagging assessment to be carried out.

The sheriff told Duffy: "I will continue bail.

"You are disqualified from driving ad interim, which means you are not allowed to drive from today."

Duffy is due to be sentenced on April 18.

Defence lawyer Edward Sweeney reserved his plea in mitigation on behalf of his client until then.