A HEALTH worker from Hawick who admitted driving while almost four times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from driving for four years and fined £1,000.

Wendy Ker pleaded guilty to the offence which happened at the entrance to Hawick’s Wilton Lodge Park on the evening of Monday, May 5.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that the 46-year-old - who works as a health care support worker at Hawick Community Hospital - had been attempting a three point turn in Wilton Park Road and her silver Peugeot 307 had stopped in the middle of the road around 4.40pm.

A concerned passer-by approached the vehicle and found her alone in the vehicle with music playing loudly and he turned the engine off and asked if she was alright.

The man suspected she might be diabetic and was having a hypo attack so he called an ambulance.

However paramedics who were called to the scene carried out a test which established she was not diabetic and she confirmed she had a drink.

Police officers carried out a roadside breath test which proved positive. The lowest reading taken at Hawick Police Station gave a reading of 128 microgrammes - the legal limit being 35mg.

In reply to caution and charge she said: “I am guilty.” Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said the mother-of-one’s 17-year marriage had broken down because of her drink problem. He said: “She had gone to a local area and sat to have a drink. She had been drinking wine. She was on her way to park up when she was found in the middle of the road.” Mr Patrick said Ker was unsure what impact the offence would have on her job as she had a similar previous conviction.

However, he explained she had been employed in that role for the past 28 years and had never let her alcohol problem impact on her job.

Mr Patrick pointed out that Ker would be able to walk to work from her home in High Street, Hawick.

The court was told that Ker had sold the car for £600.