A DRUNK driver smashed his car into traffic lights at a pedestrian crossing in Ayr.

Sean Dempsey of Cathcart Street was sat in his Vauxhall Vectra which was billowing with smoke with airbags blown up when police arrived at Main Road on December 29 last year.

Depute Fiscal Lindzi Bayne told Ayr Sheriff Court: “Police officers were in a marked vehicle on Whitletts Road when they observed a black motor vehicle. It seemed damaged, they tried to stop on Main Road when they seen the front of the Vauxhall Vectra with substantial damage. The near side wing was protruding from the vehicle, offside tyre was flat and bumper was missing, accused was single occupant within.”

The 41-year-old’s airbag was deflated when officers approached him who reported that he seemed intoxicated and slurring his words.

Ms Bayne continued to tell the court Dempsey was subject to a roadside breath test before he was conveyed to Ayr Police Office where further tests were carried out. It was found that he was driving with 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than three times the legal limit.

On Dempsey’s behalf, solicitor Steven Maxwell told the court: “There’s little that can be said on the gross error of judgement of driving his car. He is full of remorse for coming involved in this particular incident.”

Mr Maxwell added that his client has ended up in homeless accommodation since the crash and has already paid the price for his antics.

Sheriff Desmond Leslie ordered Dempsey to 175 hours of unpaid work to be completed in six months as a direct alternative to custody. He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 18 months and will have to pass an extended driving test before he is allowed on the roads again.