AN NHS manager caught drink-driving as he returned to the Borders after clay pigeon shooting in the Western Isles has been banned from the road for 12 months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Nigel Murray, 53, from Kelso, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on the A6089 road north of Gordon on June 8.

Miriam Clark, prosecuting, said police observed the car at 1.30am and had cause to stop it.

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She said: "They found the accused within the driver's seat and could smell liquor. The accused had a wine stain on the top of his lip as if he had taken drink directly from a bottle.

"He appeared unsteady on his feet and was put in the back of the police car.

"When they officers went back to check the accused's car they found a bottle of Taylor's Port in the driver's footwell which had been half consumed and two empty cans of Heineken behind the driver's seat.

"He was cautioned and charged and made no reply."

Ms Clark said Murray was returning from the Isle of Harris where he had been clay pigeon shooting.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had been drinking the night before and had a glass of wine on the two-hour ferry crossing.

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He stopped to have an Indian carry out and had one can of lager thinking that it would not put him over the limit.

However due to the length of the journey Murray decided to take Paracetamol and Ibuprofen and decided to wash it down with sips from the bottle of port.

Murray pleaded guilty to driving with a breath/alcohol count of 48 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said it was "curious" Murray had consumed alcohol twice on the car journey.

He imposed a fine of £350, with a £20 Victim Surcharge, and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.

Murray was put forward for the Drink Drivers Rehabilitation Scheme which if completed at his own expense would reduce the length of the ban by 25 per cent.