A CROSSGATES man was caught driving when unfit to do so after a police patrol could smell burning rubber coming from his shredded tyre.

Shaun Ferguson, 38, of Droverhall Place, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on July 24, on the A909, he drove a car when unfit to do so through drink or drugs.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said that at 3.50am, a police patrol car was in Bridge Street, Cowdenbeath, when officers became aware of a smell of burning rubber.

They then saw a vehicle being driven with smoke coming from it.

They stopped the car and saw the smoke was coming from a front tyre which was completely shredded.

Ferguson was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.

“He told police officers he’d driven from Kinross and was not aware of the condition of the tyre,” added the depute.

The court was told he was already on a community payback order. In November, Ferguson was banned from driving for three years for a similar offence.

Sheriff Alastair Brown called for reports and Ferguson will be sentenced on March 11.