An Englishman who drank three pints of beer and then got behind the wheel in Irvine admitted he fears he will lose his job over the incident.

It comes after 34-year-old Jamie Seaton was banned from the roads following an appearance at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

Seaton, of Wilson Street in Barnsley, appeared before Sheriff Murdoch Mactaggart on Thursday, September 28 to face on charge in relation to an incident on the town's Annick Road earlier this year.

He admitted to, on August 31, driving his motor vehicle after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion in his breath was 90 microgrammes per 100 millitres of breath - over four times the legal limit of 22mcg per 100ml.

The weighbridge engineer told the sheriff that "it was a stupid decision to get behind the wheel” as he submitted his guilty plea while representing himself.

He added that, depending on the length of his ban from the roads, he may lose his job which involves travelling to a number of different cities and countries.

Informing the court about the incident in more detail, the procurator fiscal depute explained how Seaton has been caught by police officers on patrol on Annick Road at 1am on the day in question.

They observed his vehicle, described as a van, "straddle the white road markings". As a result, officers used blue lights and sirens and indicated his vehicle to stop.

Speaking to the driver, officers noted strong smell of alcohol coming from him and observed that he was slow in reacting to questions.

He was also asked when he last had a drink of alcohol to which he responded “I had three pints of beer tonight”.

Seaton then agreed to provide a breath speciment roadside, which he failed and he was then arrested and taken to Saltcoats police office.

Here he provided further two samples to give reading libelled and was cautioned and charged.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Mactaggart order Seaton to pay a fine of £420 and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months.

However, Seaton can see this period reduced by a quarter if he completes the drunk dirver rehabilitation course.