A LINWOOD man has been unable to carry out his sentence for drink-driving because he is suffering from a life-threatening illness, a court has heard.

George Wheelan was ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work as part of a Community Payback Order after being caught drunk at the wheel just yards from his home.

The 54-year-old, of Carradale Place, was caught drunk at the wheel of his Vauxhall Astra at a Tesco filling station.

Officers found him driving the five-door hatchback on June 6, 2015, and tests revealed he had 172milligrams of alcohol in 100ml of blood - nearly three-and-a-half times the 50mlg limit.

But he appealed the sentence and was ordered to carry out unpaid work instead.

And this week, when he made his latest appearance in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court, it emerged he had only completed 40 hours.

Defence solicitor Terry Gallanagh said: “He is suffering from a significant ailment and it isn’t clear when or how that is going to resolve.

“It is a sepsis and is extremely uncomfortable and basically makes work, currently, untenable.

“My submission is to withdraw the unpaid hours of work element.

“He requested updates on his condition and the replies have been to the extent of ‘how long is a piece of string?’”

Sepsis is a rare but serious complication of an infection. Without quick treatment, it can lead to multiple organ failure and even death.

Sheriff James Spy opted to make no decision on what to do with Wheelan’s case.

He said: “I will continue the case for a period of six weeks for the defence to obtain further medical info.”

The case is due to call again in court in late April.