A GLASGOW man told cops he had a problem with their breathalyser machine as he had only been boozing earlier in the day.

Sajid Ikram was sleeping in his vehicle in a car park on Nursery Street, Shawlands, on March 22 last year.

Police were asked to attend at 2am and observed Ikram asleep within the parked car. He was asked to exit and complied.

The 51-year-old was then asked to provide a sample of breath and failed the roadside test. He was arrested and taken to Govan police office, where he was required to carry out another test.

This showed Ikram was more than three times the limit.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court last week, Prosecutor Laura Martin said: “He was cautioned and charged to which he replied ‘I'm not happy with the machine. I’ve had some drinks, but it was earlier today’.”

Ikram, from Toryglen, appeared for sentencing after pleading guilty to being in charge of a car whilst under the influence.

His lawyer said: “He has no outstanding matters but is currently subject to two community payback orders. He has 140 hours of unpaid work left to do and is doing well.

“He’s engaging fully and attends for unpaid work every Wednesday. If imposed, a restriction of liberty order would be a direct alternative to custody.

“He advises he would comply, but he works in a takeaway business which trades at night-time.

“Should he be placed on a restriction of liberty order it may interfere with his work hours. But he has indicated he would comply as I have pressed upon him it would be a direct alternative to custody.

“If the hours were 10pm-10am he would still be able to take on his employment. He understands he will face a significant period of time being banned from driving and he fully accepts that.

“He accepts full responsibility for his actions, and he apologises. He understands the consequences and the serious nature.”

Sheriff Allan Findlay reminded Ikram that he has previous convictions for similar offences.

He was disqualified from driving for 33 months and was ordered to stay within his Southside home between 10pm-12pm for five months.