A BANNED driver from Hawick who took his girlfriend's car without permission to buy drugs has been jailed for 54 days at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Gary Crossett had only been released from custody by the Appeal Court in Edinburgh hours earlier when he decided to go on the ill-fated mission.

The 25-year-old drove to Selkirk where the vehicle suffered a puncture and at 5.45am on October 27.

He telephoned his mother asking her to pick him up but, the court was told, she refused and the police were contacted.

Crossett of Hillend Drive, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, without insurance, while unfit through drink or drugs, stealing a set of car keys and driving without peremission from the vehicle's owner.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client suffered from a number of mental health difficulties and drug-related issues.

In addition to the prison sentence, Crossett was disqualified from driving for one year.

Crossett had already been on remand in connection with the matter as well as serving a 60-day jail sentence for Contempt of Court.