A CLYDEBANK man who drove carelessly while drunk and collided his car with a lorry, has been banned from driving for 18 months.

Gordon Phillips, of Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, previously pleaded guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to driving carelessly and while intoxicated.

The 40-year-old was driving on the west bound carriageway of Dumbarton Road. He swerved across the road onto the eastbound carriageway and collided with a lorry being driven eastwards on September 6, 2018.

When taken to Clydebank police office, Phillips failed to provide two specimens of breath after the accident.

Prosecutor Kara Watt told the court last week: “At 8.30am a witness was driving a lorry on Dumbarton Road, when he saw a car being driven by the accused coming towards him swerving across the road.

“He anticipated and applied the brakes to bring the lorry to a halt. The accused drove past the cab of the lorry and collided with the near offside of the lorry.

“The accused was under the influence of drink and was smelling strongly of alcohol and he was speaking slowly.

“He told police he would not provide a breath test until he was given a glass of water. He got one, but again refused till he was given another and then a third.”

The Crown prosecutor also moved for the forfeiture of Phillips’ car, which was valued at £450.

Defence lawyer Jason Beltrami said: “The car has been written off so there is no issue with the forfeiture. He had nothing to drink that morning, but had drunk a good bit the night before until 1am.”

Sheriff John Hamilton said: “Given your poor record, which includes the carrying of weapons, all options are open to me.”

Phillips was put on a community payback order and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, attend for alcohol counselling and remain under supervision for 12 months. He was banned from driving for 18 months and had his car confiscated.