A MAN who was caught behind the wheel in Helensburgh at almost twice the legal drink limit will retain his licence - for now.

Dominic Ashwood previously pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while over the alcohol limit.

He supplied police with a breath sample which gave a reading of 40 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. 

The limit in Scotland is 22 microgrammes.

Ashwood was stopped near The Henry Bell pub in James Street on December 31, 2023.

The 30-year-old, of Cumbrae Crescent South, Dumbarton, also admitted having a knife.

Sentence on both charges had been deferred for the blade to be brought to Dumbarton Sheriff Court.

But on seeing it on March 19, Sheriff William Gallacher said he was less concerned about the knife.

Defence solicitor Judith Reid said the knife was on a set of keys.

"They had been in his car for a long time along with keys to his grandfather's house," she said.

"He had not thought about them for a long time.

"It was his own stupidity in charge one [drink driving] that brought [the knife] to the attention of the police.

"He is usually in employment, quite often as a KP [kitchen porter].

"He has a clean licence. This would appear to be a stupid one-off."

Sheriff Gallacher imposed a structured deferred sentence, with support from social workers, and a review to be held in July.

He did not impose a disqualification, adding: "We will think about that when the case next calls."