A GARDENER who admitted driving while more than three times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from the road for 12 months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Sixty-four-year-old Clark Graham pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on the A6088 road near Hawick on the evening of January 20.

Depute fiscal Joanna Waller said the accused was driving to his home address in Hawick at around 7pm when he failed to negotiate a right-hand bend and his car left the road, went through a fence and landed in a field.

She said: "A passerby came across the vehicle and found the accused in the car. He helped the accused out of the car and gave him a lift home.

"He did not want to leave the accused as he was concerned for him but he did not require an ambulance. The accused called the police to let them know where the car was.

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"The police attended and traced the accused to his home address. He confirmed he had been driving at the time."

A breath/alcohol reading was recorded of 77 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

Graham's lawyer told the court his client had planned to leave his vehicle after drinking.

But his lift became unavailable and "stupidly took his car home".

He added Graham had paid a farmer £250 for the damage to the fence.

In addition to the disqualification, Graham was fined £300 with a £20 Victim Surcharge.