A BORDERS man who went sleeping in his car with the engine on while more than three times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from the road for 12 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Forty-one-year-old Angus Nichol, of Lauder, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened at Craighouse Quarry, Earlston, on the night of March 12.

Depute fiscal Joanna Waller said police on mobile patrol at around 11.30pm noted a suspicious vehicle and found the accused within the vehicle.

The engine was running and there was a strong smell of alcohol.

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Police officers removed the keys from the ignition and Nichol failed roadside breath test.

He was taken to Hawick Police Station where the lower reading of 73 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22 – was recorded.

Defence lawyer Stephanie Clinkscale said the father-of-two will lose his employment as a plant operator due to the disqualification.

Nichol was disqualified for 12 months and ordered to carry out 70 hours unpaid work as an alternative to a fine.