Greenock law student caught drink-driving after another car crashed into his

Andrew McEwan, 19, was found to be fractionally above the legal alcohol limit following the collision on the town's Eldon Street.

He got behind the wheel of his red Suzuki Swift after consuming 'three or four' Budweiser beers, the sheriff court was told.

Following a positive roadside breath test, McEwan was found to have 78 milligrams of alcohol in 100ml of urine — the limit being 67 milligrams.

Prosecutor Pamela Brady said: "He was travelling towards Gourock and was at a junction when a vehicle pulled into the roadway and there was a collision.

"There is no suggestion that the accused was at fault.

"Police found the accused's vehicle to be blocking the carriageway.

"It was extensively damaged and unable to be moved.

"His urine was later analysed and it was found to have the alcohol level detailed in the charge."

McEwan, of Eldon Street, committed the offence on August 27 last year.

His lawyer said: "Mr McEwan is a law student at the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley and is due to begin his second year in September.

"He is aware that he will lose his licence, however, I would suggest that he is a suitable candidate for the drink driver rehabilitation scheme.

"On the night in question he had three or four Budweiser beers and then left to take his girlfriend home to Larkfield.

"He was not to blame for the collision, however, it does not take away from the fact that he should not have been driving the car.

"He has learned his lesson.

"His aim is to graduate and go on to have a career in law."

Sheriff Michael Higgins said: "I take into account the fact that you have pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, that you have no previous convictions and the reading is not particularly high in the scheme of things."

McEwan was fined £420 and banned from the roads for 12 months.

Successful completion of the drink driver rehabilitation scheme will reduce the period of disqualification to nine months.