BEING in possession of £250 worth of cocaine has cost an apprentice spray painter a fine of £500 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Jack McMillan,of George Street in Peebles, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on the A72 road near Eshiels on February 3.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting, explained that police officers pulled over a vehicle shortly after midnight as it was driving too fast.

He continued: "The accused was spoken to and the view was taken he was in possession of controlled drugs.

"Seven grammes of cocaine with a value of £250 were recovered."

Defence lawyer Hugh Harley said his 20 -year-old client has had an interest in cocaine for the past four years but this prosecution had made him sit up and was now dealing with the issue.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said: "There are some who take the view that possession of cocaine is not a serious matter. It is.

"This is a class A drug and a serious issue. If you are back before the court again on a similar matter you will be dealt with differently."

He reduced the fine from £750 due to the early guilty plea.