A DRUNKEN driver killed a 76-year-old taxi driver in a horror head-on crash after driving on the wrong side of the road on a country road at 2am.

Slavi Todorov, 34, of Craigiehall Road, Kilmarnock, was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of causing the death of Neill Mackie by dangerous driving on July 9, last year, on the A70 Coylton to Ayr road.

He pleaded guilty to driving with an alcohol count of 64 – almost three times the legal limit of 22.

The crash happened after Todorov, who had been visiting his brother-in-law Sundrum, near Ayr, with his husband retired social work boss John Kennedy, 59, drove off after downing vodka.

Mr Mackie died in hospital from multiple injuries suffered in the collision.

Police constable Steven Callaghan said as he was being driven to Ayr police station, first offender Todorov confessed he thought he was on the wrong side of the road.

PC Callaghan added: “He said it repeatedly. He was really distressed and had genuine concerns for the well-being of the other driver.”

Todorov denied dangerous driving.

Judge Lord Ericht deferred sentence on Todorov until next month and remanded him in custody.

Defence QC Murray Macara will give his plea in mitigation then.