A MAN was pulled over in Dumbarton after taking his partner's car without her permission.

Jay Beattie admitted at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to driving the Volkswagen  Touareg without having valid insurance or having the consent of the owner on January 21 this year.

At the hearing this week fiscal depute Decla O'Connor said that around 4.30pm police carried out a vehicle check on the car Beattie was driving on the A82. 

They noticed that it was insured to a female only, so pulled over the car and spoke with Beattie.

The 32-year-old, of Braehead, Bonhill, confirmed with cops that there was no valid insurance that covered him using the car and that he had taken it without his girlfriend's consent.

During the sentencing on August 22, his defence solicitor Jonathan Paul. said: "There are compulsions for certain individuals with road traffic offences and [its] consequences. He could lose his job and it's an excellent job. He is the sole breadwinner.  I wonder if my lady would consider a sufficient financial penalty to be imposed. That could be an alternative. 

"It may be Mr Beattie's interest to refrain from committing offences. He would comply with any other sentence."

Sheriff Clair McLachlan said: "It is not an easy decision to make given your record. It is fairly worrying that you don't seem to take on board the consequences of driving without insurance.

"The charge does not carry out a custodial sentence, but taking the car without the owner's permission does carry a custodial sentence. I am stepping back from doing that. I take on board what was said and that you are the sole breadwinner."

He was disqualified for three years and fined £1,300.

Beattie has to pay the fine within 28 days.