FINES totalling £800 have been imposed on a 24-year-old man who admitted being drunk in charge of a vehicle after a bust-up with his former partner and another man.

Benjamin Stephen, who gave an address in Kelso, pleaded guilty to assaulting the man and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards a woman at a house in Killie Court, Tweedbank, on April 7.

He also admitted being in charge of a vehicle in Earlston with a breath/alcohol count of 93 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22 in Earlston.

Depute fiscal Drew Long said the accused had been drinking with the man and woman on the night of April 6 but cross words were exchanged.

The man had challenged Stephen about his behaviour towards the woman which resulted in him pinning him down on a sofa and a scuffle ensued.

He was also abusive to his former partner calling her several names.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told Stephen left the property at 9am the following morning and was seen in the back of a white Peugeot in Earlston.

He was said to be mumbling incoherently when police approached with a strong smell of alcohol.

The court also heard that Stephen had been struggling with alcohol and planned to move to Antwerp, in Belgium, where his father lives.

Stephen was fined £300 for the assault and £200 for threatening or abusive behaviour towards his ex-partner.

He was fined another £300 for being drunk in charge of the vehicle and his licence endorsed with 10 penalty points.

A £20 victim surcharge was also imposed.