Drink-driver puts blame on thunderstorm

James McKain said he was ready to leave the pub after just two pints, but stayed because the weather was so bad.

He drank two more bottles of beer before getting behind the wheel.

Livingston Sheriff Court was told that the pensioner was stopped by police in Broxburn, West Lothian.

A breath test showed he had 48mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35mg.

McKain, 66, of Currie, Midlothian, pleaded guilty to drink-driving on August 29.

Charles Morrison, defending, said the retired engineer had met up with a friend he hadn’t seen for several months and admitted that his client had a previous conviction for drink-driving.

Sheriff Donald Muirhead banned McKain from driving for three years and fined him £400.