The vehicle, driven by John Hart, skidded and collided with a brick wall after he lost control whilst giving someone a lift.

The 23-year-old previously pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without an appropriate licence, and without insurance. Hart, of Fort Road, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.

Jeanette Maclean, fiscal depute, told the court a man had been drinking in the Back Bar of the Kilcreggan Hotel on the evening of August 25 this year.

Shortly after midnight, Hart asked him if he would like a lift home.

Ms Maclean said: “The accused then drove along Argyll Road, in Kilcreggan, and as the vehicle approached the junction, the accused applied the brakes and the vehicle skidded and collided with a brick wall there.

“As a result, the witness and the accused attempted to move the vehicle.

“A witness in his home address nearby heard the collision and called police.” At 1.25am, police arrived and saw the vehicle in the middle of the road. Hart was standing at the driver’s door.

He was asked to provide a breath test and returned a reading of 136 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; the legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

Police arrested Hart and he was taken to Clydebank Police Station.

Ms Maclean continued: “Whilst en route, he said ‘it’s all my fault. I literally should not have done it.

“‘The other guy has nothing to do with it. Please let him go’.” After arriving at the police station, further checks were carried out and it was discovered Hart did not have an appropriate licence or insurance to drive.

Joanna Mortimer, defending, told the court her client had tendered guilty pleas at the earliest possible opportunity, adding that he had been ‘nothing but co-operative’ during proceedings.

Ms Mortimer said: “This matter has been a wake up call for him. He spent a night in the cells as a result of his actions and that is something he would not wish to repeat.” Explaining Hart recognised his alcohol reading was a high one, the defence lawyer added: “He has not touched alcohol since the commission of this offence.

“He has expressed his remorse in the report. He is aware that he will be off the road for some considerable time.” Sheriff Craig Turnbull ordered Hart to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within six months. He was disqualified from driving for 16 months.