A TEENAGE drunk driver who smashed his car into another in a hit and run in Greenock has been heavily fined and banned from the roads.

Ross McAlpine, 19, had been drinking at a friend's house the night before when he woke up in a drink-fuelled daze and decided to drive home at 8am.

The town's sheriff court heard how he failed to stop at Blairmore Road's junction with Kilmacolm Road and crashed his car into the other vehicle — then fled the scene.

But two pedestrians — who had to sidestep a bumper which had become detached from McAlpine's car — managed to see part of his registration plate and alerted police.

McAlpine was found to be still three-times the legal alcohol limit when he was formally breathalysed around two hours later.

Prosecutor David Glancy said: "The accused's car failed to stop and hit the nearside of the other vehicle, sending it into a 180 degree spin.

"The accused's car was driven off towards Greenock town centre and officers found it parked and unattended on Cartsburn Street."

The court heard how McAlpine, of Bridgend Road, handed himself in to police around an hour after the incident.

Fiscal depute Mr Glancy said: "At 9.15am Ross McAlpine, in distressed state and smelling of alcohol, presented himself at Greenock police office and said that he was aware that the police were looking for him.

"He stated, 'I was drinking last night and shouldn't have driven'.

"He failed an initial breath test and later, at 10.15am, he provided two formal readings."

McAlpine, an apprentice painter and decorator who lives with his parents, had 65mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 22mcg.

He pleaded guilty on the day he was due to stand trial to both drunk and careless driving.

His lawyer, Aidan Gallagher, said: "He had been drinking at a friend's house the night before and drank more than he should have.

"He fell asleep between 1am and 2am and when he woke he felt, wrongly, quite wrongly, that he was fit to drive home and the accident took place."

Sheriff Linda Smith told McAlpine: "You obviously realise that this is a very serious matter.

"Not only did you cause a bad accident but you also drove off after that, and you were well above the limit."

The sheriff fined him £585 and banned him from the roads for 18 months.

He must also resit the extended driving test once he is eligible to get back behind the wheel.