A MOTORIST who led police on a high speed chase while more than three times the legal drink drive limit has been banned from the road for two years.

Matthew Paxton, 27, pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving and drink driving on various roads around Kelso on Saturday, February 2.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard that police had received information about a suspected drink driver and were waiting just outside the village of Eccles when Paxton went past them at 3.50am.

Despite icy road conditions and a blue police light, Paxton continued at high speed entering the village of Eccles at 70mph even though it has a 30mph limit.

He went the wrong way around a roundabout to evade two police vans in Kelso.

Paxton, of Castle Street, Duns, was eventually found walking in Roxburgh Street, Kelso.

He gave a breath/alcohol reading of 69 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said there were a number of defects with the car, including bald tyres.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said Paxton had no excuse for the offences but pointed out his client had suffered a severe brain injury several years ago which caused him to be at a low ebb.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said Paxton had been a danger to himself and other road users.

He imposed fines totalling £350 as well as the two year disqualification and said Paxton would need to re-sit the extended driving test if he wanted his licence back.