A CAR owner from Kelso who failed to tell police who was driving his vehicle has been fined £100 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Radoslav Farbis, 35, pleaded guilty to the offence and also had three penalty points on his licence.

The court was told that at 12.15am on December 14 police officers spotted a red Mazda on the A698 road near Kelso which then accelerated away.

After doing a vehicle check they decided they wanted to stop the vehicle and activated the blue lights but the vehicle sped off and it was decided not to pursue it.

Farbis was identified as the registered keeper and he was eventually traced a week later on December 21.

He was asked to identify the driver the previous week but replied: "I can't tell you. I don't know."

Farbis explained to officers he often left his keys in his vehicle for his friends to drive.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said Farbis had decided to "come clean" and said his brother had been driving the car.

He added:"He was aware his brother had been driving the vehicle. It was a misguided attempt to protect his brother from the police."

A Victim Surcharge of £10 was also imposed.