A MAN who told police he had not been driving a vehicle involved in an accident in Hardgate, and then refused to provide officers with a breath sample, has been spared a prison sentence.

Michael Collins was found by police standing next to a crashed Volkswagen on Glasgow Road in the early hours of September 9 – while the officers also noticed two other damaged vehicles close by.

The 34-year-old, of Springbank Road, Paisley, was sentenced at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Friday after admitting driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a Class-A drug.

Kara Watt, prosecuting, told the court: “At around 2.20am police got a call reporting that a vehicle had collided with a fence at the locus.

“They attended and saw the accused standing next to a Volkswagen car which appeared to have come off the road.

“There were two other vehicles nearby. All three were heavily accident-damaged.

“The accused stated the Volkswagen belonged to him but said he had been a passenger.

“He appeared intoxicated, and officers noticed an airbag deployed on the driver’s side only, suggesting there had been no passengers within.

“He was arrested and searched and a small wrap of brown material was found in his clenched hand.

“He was taken to hospital but was uncooperative. When fit to be discharged he was taken to Clydebank police office, and a further search found a bruise to his right shoulder, indicative of being caused by a driver’s-side seat belt.”

Sheriff William Gallacher said it was not disputed that Collins had been driving the car at the time of the accident.

Collins’ solicitor, Alastair Gray, informed the court his client was unemployed, lived with his mother and had several health problems and family issues.

Sheriff Gallacher told Collins: “The courts have dealt with you many, many times, and have tried almost everything.

“But I’m persuaded today that I can impose an alternative to a custodial sentence.

Collins was given a payback order with 18 months’ social work supervision and handed a 7pm-7am home detention curfew for four months.

He was also banned from driving for 20 months.