AN Irvine man caught more than three times the drink drive limit has been given unpaid work.

John Campbell, of Stewart Drive, also admitted driving without insurance in the street on May 19.

The 53-year-old was viewed by police on patrol driving in the area.

It was revealed at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week how Campbell’s car arose suspicion in the minds of the police.

A computer check on the car found that Campbell was driving without insurance.

Police stopped the car and could smell alcohol from within.

Campbell failed the roadside breath test and was taken to Saltcoats Police Office where he produced a reading of 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, three-and-a-half times over the limit of 22 micrograms.

Appearing as a first offender, Campbell pleaded guilty at court last week.

Defence solicitor Peter Murray told presiding Sheriff David Hall that married Campbell has struggled to deal with being made unemployed in March and turned to alcohol as a result.

He said he had now sought help for his issues and was embarrassed about his behaviour.

The solicitor said: “He is absolutely ashamed to find himself before the court, a situation he did not envisage would happen in his life. He cooperated fully with the police and pled guilty at the earliest opportunity.

“Somewhat unusually he’s asked me to put forward a level one community payback order as an option, he feels something worthwhile would be achieved with unpaid work.”

Sheriff Hall disqualified Campbell from driving for two years and ordered him to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work. If he completes a rehabilitation course, the ban will be reduced by six months.