An Alexandria man who crashed his car while more than four times the legal drink drive limit has been banned from driving for 27 months.

Graham Craig, 31 from George Street, Alexandria, crashed into a hedge on Auchincarroch Road, Jamestown on 30 May 2014. Craig told the Sheriff that he attended a local pub, started drinking and then was driving home when he crashed. When searched by police, Craig was found in possession of the Class B drug amphetamine. Sheriff Gallagher told Craig’s solicitor Young that he was ‘surprised to see’ him as in the social work report, Craig had denied the charges and claimed he was manipulated by Young into pleading guilty.

After some confusion Sheriff Gallagher asked Craig: “I thought I had clarified this with you some time ago, do you accept you were guilty of driving with 136 milligrams per 100 millilitres of breath?

Craig replied: “Yes” The Sheriff continued: “Knowing you had a quantity of amphetamine in your procession?” Craig replied: “Yes”.

Sheriff Gallagher told Craig his social work report was now flawed due to his changing pleas. Solicitor for the defence Murray Young told the court that Craig, who works as a welder would be able to pay back a monetary fine.

However the sheriff dismissed the idea of a fine and said: “A monetary penalty does not meet the gravity of these charges.

“I’m not impressed with the history of this case. You have avoided responsibility at every chance. Only pleading guilty at the sixth intermediate diet.

“This means I cannot discount the penalty as you’re not entitled to it.

“Considering the amount of alcohol, the fact that you did not cause harm to yourself or anyone else is miraculous.

“On this occasion I will refrain from sending you to prison.” Craig was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work to be done within six months and disqualified from driving for 27 months from March.