AN Irvine man caught nearly four times the drink drive limit has been fined and banned.

Anthony Johnstone, of Livingstone Terrace, was found driving under the influence in Beaton Terrace on August 28.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard last week how at around 9.50pm on the night in question, police became aware of a white pick-up style van that may have been in an accident earlier in the night.

The vehicle in question was within Beaton Terrace and police made their way to the street.

Johnstone, 20, was the owner of the vehicle.

After viewing CCTV footage at a nearby takeaway, officers saw Johnstone drive along Beaton Terrace before stopping to talk to someone.

They found Johnstone in the street who failed a roadside breath test.

He was taken to the police office where a reading of 84 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - exceeding the limit of 22 microgrammes - was recorded.

On being cautioned and charged by officers, Johnstone replied: “It was from last night”.

Johnstone pleaded guilty to the charge at court last week.

Defence solicitor David McPherson revealed how Johnstone works with his father on his landscaping business.

He told presiding Sheriff Shirley Foran: “There really can’t be any excuse but he had been drinking the night before and that day as well.

“He stopped drinking to get something to eat but made a real error of judgement and will not be driving for the foreseeable future.

“It’s quite a high reading, he’ll still be able to work but he won’t be able to drive.”

Sheriff Foran fined Johnstone £400 and banned him from driving for 18 months.

That ban will be reduced if Johnstone completes a drink-drive rehabilitation scheme.