A Paisley schoolboy has been banned from the roads after he was caught drink-driving when he crashed into another car just six weeks after passing his test.

The 17-year-old, who can't be named for legal reasons, spent the night of Saturday, February 25 drinking with friends at a house in Elderslie.

He later got a taxi back to his home in Paisley and then headed out in his car.

The details emerged this week when the teenager appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court - wearing his school uniform - to admit his guilt over the events.

He pleaded guilty to driving with 48microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of blood - more than two-and-a-half times the 22mcg limit.

Procurator fiscal depute Masooma Jaffri explained: "At 3.30am the accused was driving a red Vauxhall Corsa and there was a collision.

"Police passing by stopped. The accused provided a specimen of breath.

"When cautioned and charged with the offence, he replied 'sorry'."

Defence solicitor Becky Houston said her client had only passed his test on January 16 and is in sixth year at school.

Ms Houston added: "He is hoping to study accounting and has conditional officers for university. He is not sure if this conviction will affect them but he hopes not.

"He is here wearing his school uniform. His school are very supportive and his guidance teacher advised him to wear his uniform to court today to reflect that."

The lawyer also told the court that the teenager was working towards his Gold Award for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

She said: "He knows he should not be drinking alcohol but advises that he had three or four cans before getting a taxi home.

"He received a telephone call from a friend who was at a party and didn't have any money for a taxi.

"He left and drove the two or three miles to get him. He made a very stupid decision at that time."

Sheriff Robert Fife could have locked the youngster up for his antics but opted to spare him a custodial sentence.

After hearing that the car had cost £4,600 and the accused had spent £1,300 on insurance for the vehicle he could now not use, Sheriff Fife fined him.

He ordered him to pay £300, reduced from £450 as he admitted his guilt, and banned him from driving for 16 months.

As he did so, Sheriff Fife told him: "I'm confident we will not see you again in court.

"It's been a very expensive experience for you. I hope you've learned your lesson."