A SERIAL offender appeared in court via video link from prison for his latest sentencing.

Stephen Gray was caught drug-driving by police not long after being released from a previous jail term.

Gray, 31, from Cowdenbeath, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court by video-link from jail.

He admitted that on June 10 last year, in Castle Avenue, Crosshill, he drove a car when unfit to do so through drink or drugs.

Depute fiscal Mat Piskorz said that at 3.20am, police stopped Gray’s car and saw that his eyes were glazed. He appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

When tested, he provided a positive sample for cocaine.

Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said: “He’d been at a friend’s house. He accepts he’d taken drugs the night before but he didn’t think he would be under the influence.”

Sheriff Charles Macnair banned Gray from driving for 18 months and until he passes the extended test.

Gray was jailed for 28 months for assault and robbery offences in June.

In one incident, he and another man, both masked, smashed their way into a Cowdenbeath home when a couple were inside in an attempt to steal a car.

The car owner was punched repeatedly when he refused to hand over the keys.

The pair then stole a woman’s handbag and car keys and drove away in her car, which was later abandoned in Dunfermline.

Gray was also involved in a previous crime when he broke into the home of an 82-year-old woman, only to flee when she shouted at him.