A MAN has pleaded guilty to his first criminal offence of driving at more than twice the legal drink limit - after a memorial to a friend.

Robert McLean, of Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, was stopped on the A82 near Duck Bay on September 23 around 8.50am.

The 59-year-old had a reading of 53mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath where the limit is 22mg.

Defence solicitor Kenny McGowan told Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week: “His friend had passed away two years ago and there was a service in his memory. He thought the next day he would be fine [to drive] - clearly that was an error.”

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said: “I’m sure you’re disappointed in yourself. This is a serious misjudgement. At that level, anything could have happened.”

McLean was banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay a £180 fine.