A DUNFERMLINE man went into a pub with no intention of drinking but ended up knocking back pints “because the locals kept buying him drink”.

That was the version of events told at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, where Philip Lee appeared for drink-driving at more than three times the limit.

Lee, 42, of Kingfisher Place, admitted that on July 22, in Primrose Lane, Rosyth, he drove having consumed excess alcohol.

His reading was 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 22 microgrammes.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said police officers stopped Lee’s car at around 10.50pm because he was driving with no lights on.

When officers spoke to Lee, he was smelling of alcohol and his speech was slurred.

Defence solicitor Pol Clementsmith said his client had gone into a pub in Rosyth but initially “had no intention to drink”.

“The locals kept buying him drink,” he went on. “The pub was rowdy and when he came out there were taxi drivers arguing so he decided to move his car.

“He couldn’t find the lights and he was stopped by the police.”

Sheriff Charles Lugton banned Lee from driving for a year and fined him £640.