A TEENAGER smelling of drink pranged his disabled uncle's motability car at 3am then 'refused' to be breathalysed.

Kieran McLaughlin, 18, was spotted with the 'extensively' damaged vehicle blocking the carriageway on a roundabout in Port Glasgow.

A concerned witness who came across the incident approached him and took the key for the silver-coloured Skoda Octavia from him.

McLaughlin, of Charles Place in Greenock, has now been banned from the roads for 18 months and slapped with an £800 fine.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife told the town's sheriff court: "At 3.15am a passer-by, a taxi driver, was near the locus and she noted that a vehicle was stationary on the roundabout, blocking the main carriageway.

"It was extensively damaged.

"She saw the accused walking towards the vehicle, with keys in his hand, and entering the driver's door.

"Another driver then stopped and both noted that the accused was smelling of alcohol.

"One of the civilian witnesses took the keys from him and called the police."

Fiscal depute Ms Scaife added: "The accused refused to provide any breath specimens in relation to the matter and made no reply to caution and charge."

McLaughlin, a first offender, pleaded guilty to failing without reasonable excuse to be breathalysed.

He committed the offence on February 10.

The court heard that the vehicle was a motability car registered to his uncle, who has cerebral palsy and lives with him, his mother and father.

McLaughlin's lawyer said: "He is 18 years of age and, put bluntly, these were the actions of a young and immature man.

"His mother and father are embarrassed at the situation.

"Coming to court in itself has served as a valuable learning experience.

"He asks me to apologise to the court and he tells me that he will no trouble the court again."

Sheriff Daniel Kelly told McLaughlin: "This is a serious offence and one of the possible disposals is prison.

"I don't consider that appropriate in your case, however, this offence must be marked appropriately."

McLaughlin £800 was reduced from £1,000 due to his guilty plea the 18 month driving ban was moderated from 24 months.

He must also resit the driving test at the conclusion of his disqualification period.