A FACTORY worker who caused a vehicle to collide with a lamppost while more than three times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from the road for a year at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Virgil Capatoiu pleaded guilty to driving with an alcohol/urine count of 205 milligrammes – the legal limit being 62 – in Stirches Road and Guthrie Drive in Hawick on the evening of May 16.

The 54-year-old, of Eastfield Road, Hawick, also admitted a charge of careless driving by driving at excessive speeds, failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle and striking and colliding with a lamppost in which the vehicle and lamppost were damaged.

Depute fiscal Drew Long said the incident took place shortly after 8.30pm.

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He said: “Members of the public had some concerns about the way a black Renault Megane was being driven. The police were called but prior to their arrival an incident took place during which the vehicle swerved off the road and collided with a lamppost at a T-junction.

“A member of the public formed the view that the vehicle was travelling at 40mph.

“Police officers arrived shortly afterwards. They approached the driver of the vehicle and detected that he smelled of alcohol. He was unsteady on his feet and was speaking in broken English.”

Mr Long said Capatoiu was required to reveal the identity of the driver and he replied: “Me. I am sorry.”

Defence lawyer Liam Alexander explained that his client had gone to a bookmakers in Hawick before consuming any alcohol.

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He had met a female companion and struck up a conversation and ended up back at her house where alcohol was consumed.

Mr Alexander said that a disagreement emerged between the pair and Capatoiu felt he needed to get out of the house as quickly as possible and made the decision to drive despite having consumed too much alcohol.

He added: “He crashed as a result of the alcohol intake. He realises the consequences of his behaviour and has taken a sensible attitude towards this.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson said that due to the high reading he would have imposed a disqualification period of 18 months but reduced it to 12 months due to the guilty plea.

He imposed a fine of £300 for drink driving and another £200 for careless driving with a £20 victim surcharge added.