A 21-YEAR-OLD man refused to tell police who had been driving his vehicle which police suspected had been driven by someone under the influence of alcohol, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

Raedyn Redpath, of Rosebank Road, Hawick, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to tell police who had been driving the car that was registered in his name on July  6.

Depute fiscal India MacLean said the night before a male had left a pub in Melrose and got into a car parked outside and driven off.

The police were informed as it was suspected the driver was under the influence of alcohol and they were told it was a member of the Redpath family.

Later that night police officers saw the car in question which had driven off at speed causing them difficulties keeping up with it.

Ms MacLean said: “The car has entered the High Street in Jedburgh and into the Co-op car park. The driver has abandoned the car and made off on foot.  The officers could see it was a male.”

Police officers visited Redpath’s home as the vehicle was registered in his name and asked him to give details of the driver but he replied: “No comment.”

Redpath’s lawyer said his client was a driver by trade and required his licence.

He added Redpath had been poorly advised and should have answered the police.

The lawyer claimed Redpath was unaware who was driving his vehicle at the time and still doesn’t know.

He said: “If he had said that, that would have been sufficient at the time.”

Redpath was fined £200 with a £10 victim surcharge and had six penalty points placed on his licence.