A MAN who lost his rag after a friend reminded him he’d been responsible for two crashes has been banned from driving until 2025.

Craig Hogg, 31, lost control of his vehicle and smashed into a fence while driving too fast on Keir Hardie Hill in Cumnock on April 12, 2021.

And when police were called it was discovered that Hogg had been banned from driving after he failed to stop at a junction in Maidens in September 2020, crashing into a tree on the opposite verge and tipping the van he was driving on to its side.

Hogg later lost his temper while drinking with a pal - after the pal reminded him of his two crashes.

Describing the altercation, the procurator fiscal depute told a hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court last week: “The witness and the accused friends. Both were consuming alcohol together.

“The accused became angry with the witness in relation to one of the road traffic events being spoken of.

“The accused punched him on the face, causing him to bleed from his top lip.”

Defence solicitor Steven Maxwell told the court: “They remain friends. He was drinking too much and is old enough to know better. I have explained to him considering fact of two section 2 [Road Traffic] offences the very least that will happen is disqualification.

“This is itself a considerable penalty – he’s a man who enjoys his driving.

“He’s the author of his own misfortune.”

Hogg was banned from driving for three years, put under social work supervision for 12 months, and ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work.

Sheriff Siobhan Connelly added: “You could have caused severe damage or a fatality. If you commit any other driving offences it is very likely you will be sent into custody.”