AN East Renfrewshire man has been banned from the roads and hit with a hefty fine after he was caught five times the drink-drive limit following a family Communion.

Thomas Anderson, 42, had been boozing at the event in May this year but decided to get behind the wheel of his blue Hyundai Tucson estate.

Police who were making their way to an incident spotted Anderson driving erratically.

They decided to follow and stop him and, when they did so, he failed a roadside breath test.

A further test later revealed he had 105 microgrammes of alcohol on his breath – nearly five times the 22mcg limit.

The details emerged when Anderson, of Clement Drive, Newton Mearns, appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court to admit his guilt over the events of May 14 this year.

He pleaded guilty to breaking Section 5(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Procurator fiscal depute Emma Jeffrey explained: “About 11pm, officers were travelling from Barrhead to Newton Mearns.

“Their attention was drawn to the manner of driving of a vehicle in front of them.

“It was moving from side to side and narrowly avoiding the barrier.

“Police officers were concerned about the manner of driving and wanted to follow the vehicle until they identified a safe place to stop.”

The court heard that the car was stopped at the junction between Stewart Road and Aurs Road and officers noticed Anderson was slurring his words, had glazed eyes and smelled of booze.

When asked if he had been drinking, he replied: “Yes, I had a pint of beer at 12pm at a Communion ceremony.”

Anderson was detained and taken to a police station for tests.

Defence solicitor advocate Paul Coyle said Anderson was a first offender who was “ashamed” by the decision he had made to drive.

Mr Coyle added that it had been a spur of the moment decision as his client could not get a taxi home and opted to drive instead.

The lawyer said: “He found the period of his arrest and custody experience a chastening one.”

Sheriff James Spy banned Anderson from driving for 27 months and fined him £1,000, reduced from £1,500 as he had admitted his guilt.

He told the accused: “If you had anything else on your record, this would result in a period of imprisonment.

“You are a first offender and first offenders can and do get sent to prison.”

He imposed the alternative in respect of the fine, which means Anderson could still be jailed if he fails to pay one of the £50-a-month instalments.