A 34-YEAR-OLD man has been found guilty after a trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court of drinking and driving on Christmas Day two years ago.

Harry Baillie – formerly of Galashiels but who gave an address in Dalkeith – had denied the offence.

During the trial he claimed that he had crashed his car on the Melrose by-pass and had left the damaged vehicle behind on a verge and gone to a friend's house where he consumed alcohol.

Baillie then claimed he returned to his vehicle to retrieve his mobile phone where a police officer noted his speech was slurred.

A breath test later revealed an alcohol count of 42 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

Sheriff Peter Paterson dismissed the defence of post-incident drinking and imposed a 12-month ban along with a £400 fine and a £20 Victim Surcharge.