A council housing officer was caught behind the wheel of his car while more than three times the drink-drive limit.

Patrick Maguire was nicked after police spotted him moving the vehicle into a parking space in Templehill in Troon.

Ayr Sheriff Court heard that Maguire supplied a breath sample with a reading of 69 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit in Scotland is 22 microgrammes.

Maguire pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit.

At a sentencing hearing last week, the procurator fiscal depute said: “The offence occurred at 3am. Police were carrying out an area search on an unrelated matter.

“At this time the accused entered into the vehicle. They saw him enter with no shoes.

“They noted he drove 50 yards moving into a parking bay.

“They identified the driver as the accused. He provided the specimen in the complaint.”

Defence solicitor Colin McLaughlan said: “He is 48 and separated. He stays in Airdrie and works in the housing department of the local authority.

“His partner stays in the locus. They had a minor tiff and he was sleeping in his car in his pyjamas.

“For whatever reason he decided to move the car – in full view of the police.”

Sheriff John Montgomery said: “I suppose you don’t need me to tell you that was pretty foolish.”

He fined Maguire, of Dalcross Way, Airdrie, £320 in total and disqualified him for the statutory minimum of 12 months.