A 54-year-old Hawick man was found drunk in charge of a vehicle in the car park of the town's police station.

Polish national Piotr Szalek of Scott Crescent, pleaded guilty to having a breath/alcohol count of 67 microgrammes - the legal limit being 22 - when found in the driver's seat of the car on December 14.

Depute fiscal Claire Nicholls told Jedburgh Sheriff Court that police had received an anonymous call at around 9.40pm about a silver car being driven erratically.

A short time later officers noted that the vehicle they were looking for was in the police station car park.

Szalek was found to be asleep in the driver's seat with the engine running and the window open.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had not been driving but had accompanied a friend to the police station to report a lost mobile phone.

He added the engine was running to keep warm.

Mr Hulme asked for Sheriff Peter Paterson to use his discretion and not impose a driving ban and instead issue 10 penalty points.

However, after weighing up the circumstances Sheriff Paterson decided to ban Szalek for 12 months and fine him £250.