A WIFE reported her husband for drink-driving after he'd fled to 'get space' from her following an argument.

William Esler, 60 — who has no previous convictions — was nearly twice the legal alcohol limit when breathalysed.

He told police: "It was me, I drove to get some space."

Esler, a merchant seaman, had been drinking at his Wemyss Bay home with his wife when they rowed and he got up and left.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife told Greenock Sheriff Court: "He told his wife that he was going to his boat at Kip Marina.

"His wife saw him leave and was concerned and she phoned the police."

Esler drove to the car park at the shops in Inverkip at 2.35am on October 18.

Police looked for him and caught up with him after his wife phoned a second time to say that he's returned home, the court heard.

Fiscal depute Ms Scaife said: "The accused said to the police, 'You boys are just doing your job, I know I'm in the wrong'.

"The accused added, 'I drove to the shops...I hoped she'd calmed down'."

Esler had 42 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22mcg.

His lawyer said: "He decided to drive a short distance, four miles away, and he sat in the car park for a short time and then returned home.

"It has clearly been a bad call that night and he realises that."

Sheriff Daniel Kelly said: "I take into account your lack of previous convictions, your co-operation with the police and the circumstances of this offence."

Esler, of Brueacre Drive in Wemyss Bay, was fined £300 and banned from driving for 12 months.

Sheriff Kelly gave him the opportunity to complete a drink-driver rehabilitation course, which will reduce the length of the disqualification period by three months.