A SCAFFOLDER who was caught driving under the influence of drugs was later caught with a stolen car.

Kristofer Connor appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court from custody to be sentenced on Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to reset as well as the driving charge.

The 31-year-old was spotted by cops leaving a petrol station on Waterside Road in Kirkintilloch at 2am on February 22, 2020.

Officers had reason to stop the car and noticed it smelled strongly of cannabis.

Connor and his passenger were searched, and nothing was recovered, however, it was noted that he appeared intoxicated.

Cops said his speech was slurred and his eyes were red and widened.

He was asked to comply with a roadside test, which resulted in a positive result.

Connor, of Milton, was placed under arrest and taken to Glasgow city centre police office, where a blood sample was taken.

It was found he had 3.5mcg of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in his system when the limit is 2mcg.

He was cautioned and charged.

Weeks later, Connor was caught inside a stolen car.

The owner of the vehicle had attended a residential car park in order to collect her car, which had been parked there the previous night.

However, her car was not present, despite her still being in possession of both sets of keys.

She reported it as stolen.

On April 2, 2020, cops were carrying out enquiries in relation to the matter.

The procurator fiscal depute said: “They observed a motor vehicle and police carried out checks. It was noted within a driveway. The accused and another individual were sitting in it with the engine running.

“Police blocked the vehicle and asked both parties to exit. The accused eventually opened the door and was detained.

“It was confirmed by a code on the car that it was the woman’s vehicle that had been reported stolen.

“On being informed the vehicle was stolen, he began to state that he had been set up. He was thereafter cautioned and placed under arrest.

“He was taken to Cathcart police station and thereafter charged to which the accused made no reply.”

Officers seized the car.

Connor’s lawyer revealed her client had been remanded three weeks ago.

She said: “He has been in full-time employment with a scaffolding company.”

Sheriff Patricia Pryce said: “Your client is building up quite the record. He’s completed a sentence down south. He’s somebody getting himself into serious bother.

“I don’t understand why he embroils himself in this behaviour. He’s in full-time employment and earns a good wage.”

The sheriff told Connor: “With your record, I’m well within my rights to send you back to custody. However, you do seem to have sorted your life out.”

He was banned from driving for 14 months, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and be under social work supervision for 15 months.

He was also tagged and ordered to stay within his home between 7pm-7am for 10 weeks, as an alternative to custody.