A DRUNK driver more than SIX times the booze limit drove a car through Greenock with a child onboard.

James Bonnar went drinking following a bereavement and then got behind the wheel to collect the teenage girl.

A sheriff — who has banned him from the roads for 32 months — said his claim to have only consumed three pints was 'ludicrous'.

Bonnar, 33, had been facing the prospect of prison for offences described by lawman Derek Hamilton as 'disgraceful'.

Solicitor Gerry Keenan acknowledged: "The charge is very serious and will give a good deal of concern.

"He recognises that if he is allowed to walk out of the front door of the court that it would be with a direct alternative to custody."

Mr Keenan told how a close friend of Bonnar had passed away suddenly and he'd gone to the home of the man's relatives and 'drank to excess'.

He said that his client had previously been prescribed medication for depression but had 'foolishly' stopped taking it and turned to booze 'when his mood was low'.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how Bonnar received a message from the youngster during the course of his drinking session.

Mr Keenan said: "The child wanted a lift and Mr Bonnar had concerns about the area in which the child was located.

"Without giving the matter a great deal of thought he jumped in the car to collect the youngster.

"He describes himself as 'sick' over the matter."

Police stopped Bonnar's black Vauxhall Corsa on Roslin Street and he was found to have 140 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — putting him at nearly 6.4 times the legal limit of 22mcg.

He pleaded guilty to charges of drunk driving and wilfully exposing a child to danger.

The offences were committed on November 2 last year.

Bonnar's pleas of not guilty to being in possession of cannabis and cannabis resin at the time were accepted.

However, he admitted to previously shouting, swearing, acting aggressively towards his partner and breaking a window by punching it.

In addition to the lengthy driving disqualification, Bonnar must complete 155 hours of unpaid work.

Sheriff Hamilton told him: "Your reading was 140 which is significantly over the legal limit of 22.

"Your comment that you had three pints is just ludicrous.

"The charge of driving with the child onboard is more serious and is quite disgraceful."

Bonnar was also placed on an eight-month electronic tagging curfew which he breached within days.

He chose to stay overnight at the home of the woman he'd committed the domestic abuse offence against, instead of his actual address at Falcon Lane.

Sheriff Hamilton increased the 7pm to 7am curfew to nine months and told Bonnar that he will be jailed if he strays from his own house between those times.