A VAN driver who stopped to check on a woman being sick at the side of the road was collared by cops for drink driving.

Kevin McGroarty spotted two women on Waterside Road in Kirkintilloch on June 5, 2021.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how the women had been walking along the road when one of them began to feel unwell.

Depute fiscal Sat Singh told the court they stopped at the side of the road while one of the women was sick on the ground.

Mr Singh said: "At around 9pm McGroarty sat down on the ground next to them.

"While speaking to him, the two witnesses thought they could smell alcohol coming from him."

Minutes later, the court heard, police attended at the scene after a call about a concern for a female unwell at the side of the road.

McGroarty told officers he had been driving his van along the road and had seen them on the ground.

When asked by police the women said they had seen McGroarty exit the vehicle from the driver's side.

The 29-year-old was taken to a police van where checks were carried out and he failed a breath test at the side of the road.

He was cautioned and charged, placed under arrest and taken to Coatbridge police station.

His defence brief said: "This is a man who had alcohol problems and got to grip with it but then started drinking again.

"He has been going to support meetings and has changed his employment away from on that requires him to drive."

Sheriff Jonathan Guy said: "You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence.

"You are also a man of no previous convictions and have a good work record and have taken steps to address why you are in this place.

"You have addressed the situation."

McGroarty was placed on a community payback order and told to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to undertake a drink driver's rehabilitation course.