A 48-year-old man who used a Borders woman's bank cards to run up a £350 hotel bill has been remanded in custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to await sentence.

At a previous hearing Duncan Flett was described as an 'old-fashioned conman' having met up with the woman on a dating agency and visiting her at her Lauder home in November, 2018.

But while he was there he came across two Bank of Scotland cards and used them to pay bills at four hotels in Edinburgh.

The court also heard that Flett - who has an address in Leith - had an extensive list of previous convictions.

Flett pleaded guilty to a charge of forming a fraudulent scheme to pay the hotel bills using bank cards without the owner's knowledge or consent.

He failed to show at a previous hearing for sentencing and a warrant was granted for his arrest.

The court was told he was currently on remand in relation to another fraud matter.

Defence lawyer Colin Severin admitted his client had used the cards to fuel his alcohol habit and had a 'chaotic lifestyle'.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until February 3 for a fresh Criminal Justice Social Work Report to be prepared and with no application for bail, Flett was remanded in custody.