Kyle Thomson found to be double the drink drive limit in Kilwinning last month

Kyle James Thomson, of Milton View in Gatehead, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week and pleaded guilty to one charge under the Road Traffic Act.

The 18-year-old was found to be almost double the drink-drive limit at Pennyburn Road on April 8.

The court heard that police were contacted when Thomson drove off after colliding with a parked vehicle at around 10pm.

But he returned shortly after and said that he had panicked. He also told police officers that the accident was his fault.

While speaking to Thomson, officers noticed that there was a smell of alcohol.

A breathalyser confirmed that Thomson had 42 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The current drink-drive limit in Scotland is 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Defending Thomson, solicitor David McPherson said that his client was a first offender and new to the courts.

He also pointed out that under the old legislation for drink-driving in Scotland, Thomson would only have been slightly over the limit.

Mr McPherson told the court: “This had been an error in judgement. He had been drinking during the day. It’s been his first experience of being in court. This is new to him.

“Under the current legislation he was just over, he’s now almost double.”

Sheriff Alistair Watson warned Thomson about the consequences of his offence under the New Driver’s Act, which states that the DVLA can revoke a licence if a driver is convicted of a motoring offence within two years of passing their test.

He told Thomson: “The consequences for you are quite serious. I accept the reading is low. I expect the DVLA will expect you to resit your test.”

Sheriff Watson disqualified Thomson from driving for 12 months and fined him £300, but offered to reduce the ban if the teen agreed to taking part in a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

The sheriff warned Thomson: “Don’t even think about driving.”