A MOTORIST who was seven times the legal alcohol limit drove off after crashing into another car.

Craig McAleese now faces a jail sentence - and the loss of his car - over his drunken antics in Bishopton last week.

The 45-year-old twice reversed his Vauxhall Astra into Andrew Mitchell's vehicle in the car park of the Co-op store in Bishopton.

When Mr Mitchell got out to swap details with McAleese after the bump, he realised the other driver was drunk and said he was going to call the police.

At this stage, McAleese took off and drove home, where he was caught by officers a short time later.

The details emerged this week when McAleese appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court to face a single charge of drink-driving.

He pleaded guilty to driving with 158 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is just 22mcg.

Procurator fiscal depute Colin Wilson said the offence took place at around 5.30pm on Thursday, January 12.

He explained: "Mr McAleese reversed his silver Vauxhall Astra out of a space and into the front near-side wing of Mr Mitchell's vehicle, causing very little damage.

"Andrew Mitchell thereafter exited his vehicle, approached the driver's side of the accused's vehicle, spoke with the accused and informed him of what he had just done.

"The accused stated that he was sorry and agreed to exchange details. The accused thereafter drove forward slightly, reversed and again struck Mr Mitchell's vehicle.

"The now accused thereafter apologised to Mr Mitchell and details were exchanged regarding the damage to both vehicles.

"Andrew Mitchell could observe the accused to be under the influence of alcohol and could also smell alcohol coming from within the vehicle.

"At this point, Andrew Mitchell stated that he was going to contact the police."

When police arrived at the scene, Mr Mitchell gave them McAleese's insurance details and officers were able to find his home address, in Lamont Avenue, Bishopton, using the Police National Computer.

Officers got there at around 6pm and McAleese informed them he had not drank any alcohol in the last 20 minutes - but said he'd had a glass of wine earlier in the evening.

He failed a breath-test and was taken to Greenock Police Office, where further tests revealed he was more than seven times the alcohol limit.

Mr Wilson told Sheriff Colin Pettigrew that the Crown was making a motion to have McAleese's vehicle, thought to be worth around £7,500, to be seized.

Defence solicitor Amy Spencer told the court McAleese was married and has a one-year-old child.

Sheriff Pettigrew deferred sentence for background reports and continued consideration of the Crown's bid to have McAleese's car seized until next month.

McAleese could be caged for a year and lose his car when he returns to the dock to learn his fate.