A DISQUALIFIED driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol refused to stop when pursued by police, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

Twenty-six-year-old Connor Cuthbert initially slowed down when two police vehicles activated their blue lights but then accelerated away on the A697 road near Carfraemill.

He eventually came to a halt at a picnic area where police could detect a strong smell of alcohol but he struggled with officers getting out of the vehicle.

Cuthbert was abusive to the officers and their families and was obstructive with the police when he was questioned.

He failed to provide specimens of breath when requested to do so.

Cuthbert, from Carlisle, pleaded guilty to a total of 10 charges which included driving while disqualified, no insurance, careless driving, failing to stop when requested by police, failing to provide specimens of breath and threatening or abusive behaviour.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client was regretful and embarrassed at the incident.

He said it had already come at a cost as he had lost his partner and employment as a result of it.

Mr Dow said: “His ban was due to end soon but when he saw the police he thought he would lose his employment for driving while disqualified and made this bad decision to flee from the police.”

Sheriff Scott Manson said he was satisfied Cuthbert had passed the custody threshold.

But he took into account background reports in which Cuthbert said he was trying to sort out his life and the sheriff hoped it would be a turning point.

He banned him from the road for 18 months and imposed 240 hours unpaid work as part of a Community Pay Back order which included 18 months supervision.