AN AGRICULTURAL salesman downed between eight and 10 pints of lager and several whiskies during a night in the pub before getting into his car and driving home, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

David Albano was seen stumbling outside the public house in Ayton and was challenged on whether he intended to drive.

The 35-year-old denied he was going to drive but moments later witnesses saw him get into his car and drive off.

The police were called and Albano was found to be almost four times the legal alcohol limit when officers caught up with him at his home at Peelwalls Cottage, near Ayton.

The offence committed on August cost him a £500 fine and a two year disqualification from driving.

Albano pleaded guilty to driving with a breath/alcohol count of 86 microgrammes - the legal limit being 22 - in High Street, Ayton, on August 31.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told the court the accused had one previous conviction for careless driving.

He explained how Albano went into a public house at about 7pm and consumed between eight and 10 pints of lager before leaving the bar at about 12.45am.

Albano was challenged about driving and denied he was going to but later he was seen driving off in his vehicle.

Mr Fraser said: "Police officers went to the house and he accepted his guilt at that stage."

Albano's lawyer said the father-of-two had recently split up from his partner and was "tired and a bit dejected".

He explained his client had been employed as an agricultural salesman for a number of years and was described as "reliable and trustworthy" adding he hoped there would be some scope to remain in his job where he does not require to drive.

The lawyer described the offence as an "error of judgement" saying: "He drove over a mile from the public house to his own house."

Sheriff Robert Vaughn said: "This is quite astonishing behaviour for someone whose job depends on having a driving licence."

He imposed a ban of 24 months which had been reduced from three years to reflect the guilty plea.

But the sheriff said Albano could go on the Drink Drivers Rehabilitation Course which would reduce his two year sentence by a quarter if completed successfully at his own expense.

The £500 fine is to be paid off in instalments of £100 a month.