A MOTORIST visited the Borders for a birthday drinking session last month and then drove home while three and a half times the legal alcohol limit, Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.

James Hateley's conduct was also described as a "clear breach " of the current coronavirus restrictions.

Procurator fiscal Fraser Matheson said two police officers were on mobile patrol in Galashiels at around 6.50pm on January 16 when they received a call about a vehicle travelling on the A7 north of the town.

He continued: "They caught up with the vehicle north of Heriot. His speech was slurred and there was a strong smell of alcohol.

"The breath test procedure was carried out with a reading of 77 microgrammes over 22."

Defence lawyer Paul Haran said Hateley had travelled down to Galashiels from Musselburgh to visit a friend who was celebrating a birthday.

Mr Haran added: "He had a beer or two and clearly had too many."

The court was told Hateley had no L plates as a provisional licence holder and no insurance as well as a previous conviction for drink-driving in 2015.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he would have banned Hateley from the road for five years but reduced the length of disqualification to 40 months as well as ordering him to carry out 95 hours of unpaid work.

The sheriff added: "This was a clear breach of the current coronavirus regulations."

The court heard the police can impose fines for coronavirus restriction breaches without bringing charges to court.