A "CON ARTIST" has been hit with a £1500 bill after leaving a Borders bed and breakfast establishment without paying.

William Moffat, 51, ran up a tab of £630 for lodgings, food and drink after staying for three nights at the North Bridge Street B&B in Hawick, in November, 2016.

It later emerged he had been accused of similar scams at establishments at Lauder and in Dumfries.

Moffat even has a Facebook page set up by people unhappy with his financial dealings entitled "William Moffat - Midlothian Conman".

He was found guilty after a trial to a charge of obtaining food, drink and lodgings at the Hawick guest house to the value of £630 without paying or intending to pay.

At Selkirk Sheriff Court Moffat - who gave an address at Alice Hamilton Way, West Linton, - was fined £900 for the offence which included £300 for a breach of bail.

He was also ordered to pay the B&B £630 in compensation.

At a previous court case Moffat was described by the Crown as a "con artist" who had been using a psychiatric hospital as a "free hotel".