A GALASHIELS motorist who was more than three times the drink drive limit has been banned from the road at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Alistair Gourlay was stopped by police in Duns at around 4pm on November 8 after they noticed the front side of his vehicle was damaged, and smoke and steam coming from the bonnet.

The 53-year-old self-employed handyman of Halliburton Place, admitted he had been involved in an accident earlier.

He gave an alcohol/breath of 71 micorgrammes - the legal limit being 22.

Gourlay's lawyer said his client had been drinking heavily the previous night but thought he would be okay to drive.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre expressed concern at the high reading for that time of day and suggested there was a problem in the background.

He deferred sentence for reports and imposed an interim driving ban.