A GOUROCK man charged with causing three deaths by dangerous driving at speeds of up to 129mph whilst intoxicated on a drug has appeared in court in a bid to be released on bail.

Lee Docherty — accused of killing local men David Paton, Manveer Benning and Mark Downie — was fully committed for High Court trial on Friday.

The 36-year-old had been remanded in custody following an initial appearance before Sheriff David Pender last week.

Yesterday Sheriff Bruce Erroch QC allowed Docherty his liberty during a private hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Greenock man Mr Paton and Mr Benning, of Inverkip, both aged 27, and former Greenock Juniors footballer Mr Downie, 31, were all travelling in an Audi Q7 that Docherty is said to have been behind the wheel of whilst under the influence of temazepam.

The three young men died in a 5am crash on the M8 motorway near Langbank on September 19 last year.

Prosecutors say the Q7 — which has a seating capacity of seven — was overloaded with eight occupants, six of whom are said to have not been wearing seatbelts.

Docherty, of Dunvegan Avenue in Gourock, made no plea to the allegations through lawyer Amy Spencer.

The case has been continued for further examination.

A date for Docherty's next court appearance on the matters is to be confirmed.