AN Erskine man caught drink-driving twice in three days has been spared jail.

Craig Mackenzie was caught over the limit while at the wheel of his Ford Focus twice within 48 hours in July.

But the 31-year-old was spared jail for the offence this week after his solicitor said he was a recovering alcoholic who had relapsed after he lost his job.

The former charity worker was found two-and-a half times the legal limit in Greenock on July 14.

He was then found drunk at the wheel in Old Greenock Road, Bishopton just two days later.

Mackenzie, of Rashiehill, admitted his guilt over the offences last month, sentence was deferred for background reports and he returned to the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court this week to learn his fate.

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew fined Mackenzie £300 for the Greenock drink-driving and told him to do 270 hours’ unpaid work, reduced from 300 as he admitted his guilt, for the Bishopton incident.

He also banned him from the roads for 40 months, reduced from 48 for his guilty plea.

Sheriff Pettigrew said: “Within a matter of 48 hours you committed exactly the same offence.

“I’ve considered carefully whether this could only be met with the imposition of a custodial sentence but I’ve come to the conclusion that’s not the only appropriate sentence and therefore one should not be imposed.

“Be under no illusion, if you don’t comply and you’re brought back to court and a breach [of the Community Payback Order] is established, that’s what will happen - you’ll be going you custody.”