A MAN who admitted driving while almost five times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from the road for 16 months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

William Fase, 40, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened in Hawick’s Princes Street during the early hours of February 17.

Prosecutor Drew Long said Fase was spotted getting into his vehicle outside a local nightclub and it was suspected he may have been under the influence of alcohol.

When police caught up with him at his partner’s home he refused to provide a specimen for a preliminary test.

Fase was arrested and taken to Hawick Police Station where he had to go through the drink drive procedures and provided a reading of 107 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

A lawyer for Fase – who lives in Busby near Glasgow – said his client was now going to lose his job and he was unable to work without a licence.

Sheriff Robert Fife said it was a very high reading and fined him £400 and disqualified him from driving for 16 months.

Fase was also fined £300 for refusing to give a sample for a preliminary test. A £40 victim surcharge was added.