A BOOZED-UP learner driver crashed into two houses and a police car after trying to take a friend's car for a spin, Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.

Louise Boughen struggled to control the vehicle and only managed to travel a few yards revving the engine loudly when she crashed.

The 39-year-old had been drinking vodka at a male friend's house on and off for two days but decided to take his silver car without his permission after he fell asleep.

But neighbours in Teviot Court, Hawick, were alerted by the loud revving of the engine as Boughen failed to drive the car properly.

She crashed into the side of one house breaking a window before colliding with another house.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said that by this time neighbours had called the police but Boughen even collided with the police car when it arrived in nearby Teviot Road.

The court heard it was not possible to tell how much she was over the limit as she refused to give two samples of breath at Hawick Police Station.

Boughen was arrested and appeared in court from custody following her antics on the night of Tuesday, September 10.

After considering background reports, Sheriff Peter Paterson banned her from driving for 14 months and imposed a Community Pay Back Order involving two years supervision.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said: "She has not had her troubles to seek."

Boughen of Roxburghe Drive, Hawick, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.

She admitted failing to stop when required to do so by police officers and colliding with two houses, a lamp post and a police car. She was also driving at excessive speed with no regard to the road layout conditions, revving the engine loudly and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Boughen also pleaded guilty to charges of driving away a car without the consent of the owner, displaying no L plates while a provisional licence holder, no insurance and failing to give two samples of breath at Hawick Police Station.

Sheriff Paterson told Boughen he would have disqualified her from driving for 20 months but gave her credit for the early guilty plea and reduced the length of the ban to 14 months.