A RUTHERGLEN man has been branded 'deplorable and selfish' for getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drugs.

Paul McCafferty, 42, was also found to be driving while disqualified when he was caught by police after staff at a supermarket reported him when he drove off.

A road safety charity has blasted the accused's actions, stating they put "innocent lives at risk".

On Monday, fiscal depute Dorothy Roy told Glasgow Sheriff Court that it was around 7pm on April 11 this year when concerned Tesco workers spotted McCafferty driving off in a white van after shopping in the Rutherglen store.

Believing the accused to be driving under the influence, they called the police.

Officers pulled McCafferty over in nearby Main Street and identified him as the driver of the van. They reported that it was clear he had consumed something as his speech was slurred.

After recovering tablets from the vehicle, the accused was cautioned and charged. When taken to a city police station to give a sample of blood, he told the officers: "I'm not under the influence."

However, McCafferty later pleaded guilty to driving a van whilst unfit through drink or drugs and while disqualified.

In defence, it was claimed he was "taking steps" to address his drug problem and was working with a local addictions team.

McCafferty was said to be "anxious" to address his issues. His lawyer stated: "He does need help."

The defence agent claimed that the accused was about to become a grandfather and hoped that would "help him to move on with his life".

The accused's lawyer accepted he should never have been driving, especially when "he's almost always under the influence".

Sheriff Barry Divers described McCafferty as 'the type of man, if he's going to drive – he's going to drive'.

The accused, of Western Avenue, was thereafter banned from driving for three years. He was also placed on a Community Payback Order with supervision for a year, and was tagged for 108 days – in which he will have to remain at home between the hours of 8pm and 6am. For driving while disqualified, McCafferty was admonished but had his licence endorsed.

Following the case, Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, said: “Drug driving is a deplorable and selfish act which puts innocent lives at risk.

"A car is a lethal weapon and should only be driven by someone with the right skills, and experience and with zero impairment from drink or drugs.

"Those who choose to break the law and endanger lives should be given lengthy driving bans and kept off our roads. Driving is a privilege not a right.”