A GALASHIELS motorist who was double the legal alcohol limit on Braw Lads’ Day was driving on the wrong side of the road when his vehicle struck a car driven by a woman with three child passengers.

Derek Buchan continued on his journey and police spoke to him at his home a short time after.

At Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, Prosecutor Tessa Bradley told how the woman driver negotiated a bend when she was met by the accused on her side of the road. She said: “He struck the rear offside of her car and she stopped, but he continued.

“Some 40 minutes later police attended at the accused’s home, where they noted the car parked in the drive.

“It had scratches and denting consistent with the accident.” Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had been at a barbeque and walked home to watch some football. He said: “He was hungry, so drove the car to a local chip shop,” He said the former nurse planned to enjoy his retirement in Spain.

Buchan, 57, of Riddle Dumble Park, was fined £550 and banned from driving for 15 months.

He was fined £200 when he admitted driving a car without due care and attention at Mossilee Road, Galashiels, on June 28, and £150 for failing to stop and give his name and address after an accident.

Buchan was fined £200 and banned from driving for 15 months when he admitted driving a car with a breath/alcohol reading of 81 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.