A CASTLEMILK man has avoided jail after getting a car stuck in a field then refusing to carry out breath tests.

Chris Docherty appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to road traffic offences in Kirkintilloch on December 27, last year.

The 28-year-old, of Dunagoil Road, was disqualified from driving and ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community.

On Wednesday, the court heard: “At 4.40am the accused was within the motor vehicle and was observed driving with no front or rear lights.

“The accused mounted the kerb. He was driving at speeds of 50 to 60mph in a 30mph zone. He continued and was showing poor lane discipline. He turned into Campsie Road which is a 60mph road with no lighting. He still had no front or rear headlights activated but the hazard lights were on.

“He came to a T-junction at excessive speed and failed to make the necessary observations before ­entering the junction.

“He then entered a field, and the car came to a stop due to grass stuck under it. Officers approached the vehicle and there was a strong smell of alcohol.

“The accused was unsteady on his feet and was slurring his speech. He was required to provide two specimens of breath but failed to do so.

“He told officers ‘I have a heart condition’ but was not able to say how this affected his breathing.

"Officers told him the consequences of not providing a breath sample and he replied, ‘well I’m f****d anyway’. He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”

Docherty’s lawyer said his client accepted his behaviour was “wholly inappropriate”.

He added: “This could have resulted in much worse consequences and he was lucky it didn’t. He has been employed since he was 17 years old.

“The original disqualification has affected his life. He now has to travel to work by bus which adds four hours on to his working day.”

The sheriff told Docherty: “You are really lucky not to have killed someone or yourself. This was outrageous. I will deal with this matter by imposing 180 unpaid work hours and disqualify you from driving for 12 months. You will be required to resit the driving test.”