A DRUNK driver who crashed a company car in Largs admitted that he'd "f****d up" when police arrested him.

Richard Hornby had been working at a wind farm nearby at the time of the incident on September 21.

The 32-year-old, from Lancashire, was only in the area for work, but found himself forced to return to Ayrshire for sentencing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

Hornby, of Ashburn Close in Barrow, near Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to two charges - one of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs in Nelson Street and Columba Court, and one of failing to provide police with a specimen of urine the following day.

The procurator fiscal depute told the court Hornby and a colleague had gone out drinking after work on September 21, but Hornby decided to get behind the wheel to return to where the pair were staying - only to crash the car a short time later.

Police were contacted and attended the scene, where they observed Hornby was not within the car, but instead was "staggering all over the pavement".

Officers noted Hornby appeared to be under the influence and was slurring words, his pupils were dilated, and he was unable to provide any answers or details to questions.

After failing a roadside breath test he was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to Crosshouse Hospital for a check-up, where he declined to provide a urine sample to police.

Graeme Cunningham, defending, said Hornby had lost his job as a result of the offence and had been unable to find work since.

Mr Cunningham told Sheriff Anthony McGeehan that his client was "at a loss" to explain why he decided to get behind the wheel.

He said Hornby had "a recollection" of his colleague saying to him to "just take the car home", but that Hornby was not seeking to pin blame on anyone else.

 

Sheriff McGeehan called the circumstances "very concerning" and blasted Hornby for getting behind the wheel while "completely incapable".

Hornby was fined £420 and banned from driving for a year - the minimum allowed under the law - but was told he could reduce the length of the ban if he could complete a drunk drivers rehabilitation course.