A BORDERS man who drove while almost four times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from the road for two years.

Fifty-six-year-old Allan Knox, of Hawick's Twirlees Terrace, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened in Mart Street, Hawick, on March 25.

Joanne Waller, prosecuting, told Jedburgh Sheriff Court that two witnesses saw the accused in Morrisons car park walking towards them in possession of a bottle of wine.

They thought he appeared unsteady on his feet and asked if he was drunk or unwell but he replied he was depressed and was slurring his words.

He then drove off in towards Linden Crescent and was followed by the witnesses.

Ms Waller said Knox returned to the car park and was found by the police asleep in his vehicle with the keys in the ignition.

He was arrested and taken to Hawick Police Station where he was cautioned and charged .

Knox initially told officers he had not been driven but had earlier gone to Morrisons for a bottle of wine.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with a breath/alcohol count of 87 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client had been struggling with depression following the end of his 17-year marriage.

Sheriff Valerie Johnston noted a previous conviction for drink driving and said as a result the minimum length of ban was two years.

In addition he was fined £466, reduced from £700 due to the guilty plea, and a £20 Victim Surcharge was imposed.