A MAN who lost his rag after a friend reminded him he’d been responsible for two crashes has been banned from getting behind the wheel.

Craig Hogg, 31, admitted to assault to injury as well as the three driving offences on Balvaird Road in Maidens on September 13, 2020 and in Cumnock on April 12, 2021.

Ayr Sheriff Court heard last week that a witness saw Hogg, at the wheel of a Transit van, driving at speed on the B717 in Maidens, failing to stop at a junction and crashing into a tree on the opposite verge, tipping the vehicle on to its right side.

The court was also told how a separate witness saw Hogg driving too fast on Keir Hardie Hill in Cumnock, losing control of the vehicle he was driving and smashing into a fence.

Police were contacted and Hogg was found to be disqualified.

The procurator fiscal depute at last week’s hearing said: “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 added: “He was drinking too much and is old enough to know better.

“I told him he’s the author of his own misfortune.”

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

She added: “If you commit any other driving offences it is very likely you will be sent into custody.”