Drink driver also broke Covid rules

James Hateley's conduct was also described as a "clear breach " of the current coronavirus restrictions.

Procurator fiscal Fraser Matheson said two police officers were on mobile patrol in Galashiels at around 6.50pm on January 16 when they received a call about a vehicle travelling on the A7 north of the town.

He continued:"They caught up with the vehicle north of Heriot. His speech was slurred and there was a strong smell of alcohol.

"The breath test procedure was carried out with a reading of 77 microgrammes over 22."

Defence lawyer Paul Haran said Hateley had travelled down to Galashiels from Musselburgh to visit a friend who was celebrating a birthday.

He added: “He had a beer or two and clearly had too many."

The court was told he had no L plates as a provisional licence holder and no insurance, as well as a previous conviction for drinking driving in 2015.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he would have banned Hateley from the road for five years, but reduced the length of disqualification to 40 months as well as ordering him to carry out 95 hours of unpaid work.

He added: “This was a clear breach of the current coronavirus regulations."

The court heard the police can impose fines for such breaches without bringing charges to court.