FINES totalling £600 have been imposed on a Borders man who was found in possession of cocaine and three knives in his vehicle.

Twenty-four-year-old Mark Mathison, of Melrose, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to the offences which happened on December 18, 2020.

Depute fiscal Joanna Waller said police officers searched his vehicle at around 7.30pm and recovered three grammes of the class A drug along with what was described as three "throwing knives".

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Mathison's lawyer said the knives were collectable items which were in a bag that he had forgotten about it.

She added her client had been using cocaine but after an overdose received treatment from an NHS crisis team and had now stopped taking all substances.

Mathison was fined £250 for the drugs possession and £350 for the possession of the offensive weapons. A £40 Victim Surcharge was added on.