Travellers in the Borders are being warned to expect further disruption as last night’s snowfalls continue, and the Met Office has upgraded its weather warning for part of the region from yellow to amber.

An amber warning for snow is now in place for the western Borders, along with other parts of the country including West Lothian and South Lanarkshire, until 8am tomorrow, January 17.

A yellow warning for snow and ice will remain in place for most of the rest of Scotland until Friday evening.

A yellow warning for high winds has also been issued for Wednesday night through to early afternoon on Thursday.

Traffic Scotland is providing regular updates on social media, as well as via its website and radio broadcasts, with travellers being advised to check the latest information before they set off.

Scottish Government transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “The Met Office has upgraded its snow warning for parts of south west and central Scotland, with the areas affected by the amber warning set to see heavier snowfalls and greater disruption to transport.

“The snow and ice is likely to lead to difficult driving conditions, so I’d urge all travellers to take extra time and plan their journeys in advance.

“The high winds forecast for later in the week may also see some bridge restrictions.

“The trunk road operating companies have their winter maintenance fleets out across the network at this time, working 24/7 to treat the roads and assist motorists when required.

“We have more gritters available this year than ever before, and there is plenty of salt available.

“Our winter control rooms are constantly monitoring conditions, so drivers should use the Traffic Scotland mobile website, my.trafficscotland.org, or the @trafficscotland twitter page to access the most up-to-date information and to check if their route is affected.

“There may also be an impact on other modes of transport, so if you’re planning to travel by rail, ferry or plane, you should check ahead with the operator to find out if the weather conditions have affected your service.”

Disruption has already been caused to motorists in some parts of the region, with cars being unable to make it up Station Brae in Galashiels today until two Scottish Borders Council gritters were drafted in to tackle the problem.

Bradley Lowery’s battle with cancer has inspired a Jedburgh resident to take on a mammoth walking challenge this March.

The inspirational six-year-old Sunderland fan from County Durham touched the hearts of many last year, as he fought neuroblastoma, before he passed away in July.

Fellow Black Cats supporter Colin Cruddace, who has lived in Jedburgh for four years, said the proceeds from his upcoming test – a 327-mile trek starting at Bournemouth FC and finishing nine days later at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland – was going to the Bradley Lowery Foundation.

The 43-year-old said: “Given what has happened to me – I had a cancerous tumour removed from my kidney back in 2003 – Bradley’s story was really heartbreaking.

“It was an idea that started in a pub – and now me and seven of my mates from Westbury are doing the walk.”

The group has a Just Giving page – www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mark-bosher-safc – where they have already raised £2,765 of their £5,000 target.

Colin, who works at Mainetti, told us: “The idea started off as an acorn, but it’s now snowballing like mad.

“Good Morning Britain will be broadcasting the start of the walk, which will be kicked off by Bradley’s pal Jermain Defoe on March 6.

“I’m hoping I can find a sponsor who can help me by supplying good footwear – with around 35 miles to walk every day, I think I’ll need it.”

Borders businesses are putting their money where their mouths are in a bid to boost the region’s appeal as a tourist destination.

An appeal by the Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership for businesses in the region to donate £10 apiece to a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for a new strategy to attract visitors is already almost a third of the way towards its £5,000 target despite only being launched late last week.

The aim, once that figure is reached, is to seek the same again or more in public-sector funding to pay for the production of a tourism blueprint by Tom Campbell, chief executive of the North Highland Initiative, and John Lennon, director of the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Business Development at Glasgow Caledonian University.

The pair were responsible for thinking up the North Coast 500 route estimated to have led to a 26% rise in visitors to the parts of north-west Scotland it serves such as the Black Isle, Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross since its launch in 2015, and businesses in the Borders believe they could reproduce that success story further south.

Partnership vice-chairman John Henderson said: “The Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership is operated by the industry for the industry.

“We believe that we have a world-class tourism product in the Scottish Borders which working together can position as one of the Scottish regions to visit.

“If we are serious about this, the industry needs to show its commitment and invest in the future of tourism in the Scottish Borders.

“All we are asking is that every tourism business donates £10 or more.

“We want to change the face of tourism in the Scottish Borders for ever and urge tourism businesses to make their contribution today.

“Working together, we can make the most of this wonderful region.”

To contribute, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sbtptourismstrategy

What form the strategy takes remains to be seen as the partnership has only held preliminary talks with Mr Campbell and Prof Lennon so far, but it would not seek to go down the same route as North Coast 500, said Mr Henderson, also owner of the Born in the Borders brewery and visitor centre at Lanton, near Jedburgh.

“We’re definitely not talking about another road route, but it will be something equally creative and inspiring,” he said.

“We’re looking to identify the strong points of the Borders at the moment and what visitors want in terms of experience.

“We want to target the right people with the right experiences in the right way.”

Mr Henderson estimates that such a strategy, once commissioned, would take about two months to complete.

A partnership spokesman added: “It’s time to start shouting about the Borders.

“For an area with such extraordinary heritage, incredible landscapes, amazing accommodation and delicious food and drink, we think the untapped tourism potential of our region is huge.

“We’re just an hour away from Edinburgh, one of the biggest tourist honeypots in the UK, yet not enough has been done to put the Borders on the national and international visitor map.

“We need some big ideas that will capture the imagination of tourists, turn Edinburgh south and boost the economy of the whole Scottish Borders.”

A decision on whether a proposed £250,000 revamp at St Leonard’s Racecourse on Hawick Moor will be backed by the town’s common good fund committee has been delayed.

This afternoon’s committee meeting, where councillors were due to make a decision on backing the plans, has been postponed.

However, the public consultation event, where townsfolk can view the plans and speak to council officials and Hawick Common Riding committee member, is going ahead as planned.

The proposal from the Hawick Common Riding committee is for a new building to house a weigh-in room, toilets, steward’s room, jockeys’ changing room, showers, committee room and kitchen.

The complex would be located within the paddock to the south of the service yard and would be used during the common riding in June and for race meetings.

The public event runs from 4.30-5.30pm in the lesser hall at Hawick Town Hall.

Borderers are being urged to avoid driving unless necessary after heavy snow brought disruption to many of the region’s roads today.

Though forecast well in advance, the first widespread snowfall to hit the Borders this year caused difficulties for traffic in various parts of the region, rendering some roads impassable for parts of the day.

The B6358 Dunion Road linking Jedburgh with Denholm was closed, as were the B709 north of Innerleithen and stretches of several minor roads.

The A6088 Hawick-Carter Bar route was all but impassable later on and the A699 from Selkirk to St Boswells was little better.

The A68 between Camptown and Carter Bar was closed due to a lorry jackknifing, and the A72 was also shut due to an accident, but both have since reopened.

Scottish Borders Council emergency planning officer Jim Fraser and Chief Inspector Andy McLean, Police Scotland’s area commander for the Lothians and Borders, have issued a joint statement urging Borderers to stay off the region’s roads unless necessary.

“Due to ongoing heavy snow showers throughout this afternoon, there are a number of issues on various routes across the Scottish Borders,” they said.

“We’re working to clear these as soon as possible.

“However, we would appeal to people to only drive if necessary.

“Further snow showers are forecast this evening, as well as low temperatures, with a risk of ice.

“The council’s focus is on ensuring that the primary network is kept open.

“Anyone who does get stuck in snow, or in a queue of traffic on a route affected by snow, is asked to remain in their vehicle.”

More snow is forecast for the western Borders tomorrow, and a met Office amber warning for snow and ice remains in place for now.

All schools in the Borders will be closed today, January 17, because of ongoing wintry weather.

“Following a teleconference this morning to assess the risks following heavy snow last night and overnight, in the interests of the safety of pupils, staff, parents and carers, the decision has been taken to close all schools in the Scottish Borders today,” said a Scottish Borders Council spokesperson.

“The council has considered all options in making this decision, and has taken it in conjunction with advice from partners, including Police Scotland.

“The amber weather warning for parts of the Borders is in place until 8am, and further snowfall and freezing temperatures are expected for some places.

“The snowfall we have seen is far greater and more widespread than had been forecast.”

The A7 has been reopened north of Hawick after a jack-knifed lorry closed both lanes earlier this morning.

Also, the A701 Mountain Cross to Moffat remains closed and drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.

Despite yesterday’s extreme snowfall, all other roads remain passable with care, however Borderers are being urged to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

Though forecast well in advance, the first widespread snowfall to hit the Borders this year caused difficulties for traffic in various parts of the region, rendering some roads impassable for parts of the day yesterday.

A Police Scotland spokesman said this morning: “Conditions on the roads across the Scottish Borders remain extremely poor, especially on our back and minor roads.

“At this time it is recommended that you only travel if essential.

“Gritters are out across the Scottish Borders.”

If your travel is essential please make sure that you are prepared for the journey.

More snow is forecast for the western Borders later today, and a met office amber warning for snow and ice remains in place for now.

All schools in the Scottish Borders are closed today.

SCHOOLS

All schools in the Borders will be closed today, January 17, because of ongoing wintry weather.

“Following a teleconference this morning to assess the risks following heavy snow last night and overnight, in the interests of the safety of pupils, staff, parents and carers, the decision has been taken to close all schools in the Scottish Borders today,” said a Scottish Borders Council spokesperson.

“The council has considered all options in making this decision, and has taken it in conjunction with advice from partners, including Police Scotland.

“The amber weather warning for parts of the Borders is in place until 8am, and further snowfall and freezing temperatures are expected for some places.

“The snowfall we have seen is far greater and more widespread than had been forecast.”

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

It appears the Borders Railway is running as normal, if slightly behind time.

And Borders Buses is running a full service.

A spokesman said: “We are running all our buses. Some may be slightly later than normal due to road conditions.”

Also, Hawick Town Service is running a reduced service between Mart Street, High Street, Commercial Road and Burnfoot.

This will run half hourly, dependent on road conditions.

Royal Bank of Scotland bosses will be asked to explain their plans to close 62 branches, including six in the Borders, to MPs today, January 17.

Les Matheson, chief executive for personal and business banking at RBS, and Jane Howard, its managing director for personal banking, will be questioned by members of the UK Government’s Scottish affairs committee about the planned branch closures, resulting in the loss of almost 160 jobs.

The committee will also hear from four other groups likely to be affected – the Post Office, Scottish Rural Action, the union Unite and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

Committee chairman Pete Wishart, said: “RBS’s decision to close over 60 branches will have a serious impact on the people of Scotland and may leave some rural communities without a local bank.

“We will want to hear from RBS how such cuts can be justified by a bank that the UK Government, and therefore the taxpayer, still owns the majority stake in.

“We will reserve the right to extend this short inquiry if we feel we do not secure satisfactory responses.

“We are therefore also hoping to hear from the Government and, if necessary, from Ross McEwan, chief executive of RBS.

“When we launched this inquiry, we asked the Scottish public how the planned closures affected them.

“We wanted to understand how vital a bank branch is to businesses and individuals, particularly in remote locations where it may be the only location offering vital services.

“In the session with RBS, we will be putting what we have learnt to senior executives and ask them to explain their decision to close such a high number of branches.”

The session can be seen live from Westminster from 9.30am at www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/ccdc00c5-127d-4c05-9eae-3026698d8c6e

The six Borders branches to be closed this summer are those at Selkirk, Hawick, Jedburgh, Melrose, Eyemouth and Duns.

Schools will remain closed tomorrow (Thursday) following an extended amber warning for more snow from 9pm tonight.

On top of widespread heavy snow on Tuesday and overnight, up to 20cm of snow is forecast for parts of the area overnight and into the early hours of Thursday.

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council said the decision to close schools for a second day was taken following consideration of all options, and in the interest of the safety of pupils, staff, parents and carers.

Partners including Police Scotland were also involved in the decision-making process.

The situation for Friday will be reviewed and discussed during Thursday, when more detailed weather forecasts will be available.

The snow was far more widespread and heavier than had been forecast on Tuesday, with eight inches lying widely across the region this morning.

The emergency planning centre at council headquarters in Newtown St Boswells was open throughout yesterday afternoon and early evening and reopened at 6am this morning.

The spokesman added: “Winter maintenance operations have been ongoing overnight and throughout this morning to keep arterial routes open where possible.

“However, drifting snow and further snow is making this challenging. In some areas crews have managed to start clearing secondary routes.”

Tracey Logan, the council’s chief executive, said: “We are doing our very best to keep main routes open across the Scottish Borders and as a result many minor and side roads will not be cleared until main routes are clear of snow.

“The forecast for today is for some further snow showers, however, overnight tonight into Thursday morning is looking particularly challenging, with up to 20cm of snow forecast across the southern part of the Scottish Borders, including Hawick and Jedburgh, with up to 8cm expected widely.

“Only the very extreme eastern coastal areas will escape snow.

“While some areas of Berwickshire should avoid the worst of the weather, we cannot guarantee safe access to all the schools in this area on Thursday morning, or staff availability when such heavy and widespread snow is expected.

“As a result, we’ve taken the decision now to close all schools tomorrow.

“Due to the prolonged adverse weather, people are asked to check on elderly or vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours, assisting wherever possible.

“Anyone able to provide care for family or friends at any point over the next 48hours is asked to contact the client’s care provider directly, or failing that SB Cares on 01896 662701.”

A Peebles couple whose life-changing weight loss inspired them to change careers have been rewarded for their work helping others to lose over 450 stone.

Lou Hannigan, originally from Hawick, and her husband Mark, 43, shed 15 stone between them and were named slimming couple of the year in 2016 after signing up to the Cambridge Weight Plan a year earlier.

And last week they were named new consultants of the year at the weight plan brand’s national awards for helping 35 other Borderers turn their lives around too.

The pair were inspired to overhaul their health and fitness after Mark lost consciousness behind the wheel and feared their obesity and health issues might kill them before their first wedding anniversary.

Former Hawick High School pupil Lou, 44, left her job as a Scottish Borders Council dinner lady to open a weight loss consultancy office in Hawick last October.

She said: “We’ve both been there, and we know how hard it is to lose weight, yo-yo dieting for over 20 years, and finally maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight loss means we can help anyone do the same.

“It’s amazing the difference even a few pounds can make to someone’s happiness and self-esteem.

“We’ve even helped clients reverse diabetes and the need for gastric surgery.”

They say their passion to help others to change their lives has resulted in several awards for their efforts in providing motivation, support and guidance to clients who are looking to improve health and lose weight long term.

Former gas supervisor, Mark, 43, added: “We finally found the best way for us to change our lives and actually maintain after a lifetime of struggling with weight and health problems. Helping others to do the same is the most amazing feeling and more rewarding than I could ever have imagined.

“If you’d told me three years ago, I would be nine stone lighter and change my job I’d have thought you were crazy.”

Calls are being made to ease traffic congestion at Kelso’s new Broomlands Primary School amid fears for children’s safety.

They come after anxious parents expressed their concerns about parking provision at the Ednam Road school, opened this month.

Kelso councillor Euan Robson, who has also received complaints from the nearby residents’ association, is pushing for a proper drop-off point to be formed once the old school is demolished.

“The main worry is that the parking, particularly when parents are collecting the kids, is quite restricted, going down to a single carriageway,” he said. “The worry is that little children can run out in front of cars.”

That’s a concern being shared by parents, some of whom voiced their worries at this month’s Kelso Community Council meeting.

They, alongside community councillors, have backed Mr Robson’s calls to see the existing circle-shaped, unofficial drop-off area at the old school entrance retained and the old staff car park used to help form a proper drop-off point.

“My idea is to expand the circle as a drop-off, using part of the staff car park perhaps,” he said.

“I have asked the council to consider what the possibilities might be and they are looking at that. It’s a difficult situation.

“It is the children’s safety that is paramount in all of this.

“We have to try to think through how improvements can be made, particularly when the contractors have finished taking down the old school.

“Nothing that I have said takes away from the fact the new school is marvellous.

“This is a peripheral matter but an important one none the less.

“It’s not a problem that is unique to Broomlands. I am sure there are other schools which have congestion outside, but this particular problems is on which the council could to something to address.”

The 250-pupil school has seen a huge increase in housing surrounding it since it was built over 30 years ago, resulting in busier roads.

Congestion was worsened by construction traffic associated with the new school being built and that looks set to continue as work to clear the old school site, next to the £9m new one, is undertaken ready for it to be demolished and the area landscaped.

Police Scotland is advising drivers in much of the southern and central belt areas to avoid travelling on the roads tonight, following a warning by the Met Office of severe weather between 9pm tonight and 5am tomorrow.

The areas affected are: Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, West Lothian, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.

The Stage Four AMBER warning has been issued as a result of severe snow showers forecasted for these areas overnight and Police Scotland advises that if you do travel, you are likely to experience severe delays of several hours or more.

Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency, recovery or winter maintenance vehicles from providing essential assistance or from clearing roads.

Drivers of HGVs should drive with extreme caution and be aware that you may be requested to park at a suitable position by the police.

Head of Road Policing, Chief Superintendent Stewart Carle, said: “Weather conditions over the last few days have been extremely challenging, and this forecast of even more extreme conditions over the next day or so in these areas mean that we have to advise drivers to avoid travelling, and if they do, to expect severe delays of several hours or more.

“We urge people to think very seriously as to whether their journey is really necessary and is worth the risk, and if they decide they really have to travel, to be fully prepared to be self resilient. If you need medication for example, ensure you have it with you.

“No-one should ever place themselves at risk on the road and it may be worth considering postponing your journey or making alternative arrangements such as delaying travel until conditions improve or using public transport.

“If you are travelling on the roads you should ensure you and your vehicle are adequately prepared for the conditions, making sure you have sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food and water in the event you are delayed for several hours.

“Charge your mobile phone and plan your route as well as alternative routes. Listen to media broadcasts, especially local radio, and visit the Traffic Scotland website.”

Weather forecasts are constantly being monitored at Traffic Scotland and will be updated as and when things change.

Further snow hit the Borders last night, but only a fraction of the amount forecast, so motorists look to be in for an easier time than over the last couple of days.

Scottish Borders Council has issued a reminder that a Met Office yellow weather warning for snow and ice remains in place until 11am, so drivers should still exercise caution.

The council was being advised yesterday that up to 20cm of snow could fall in parts of the region overnight and into this morning, with up to 8cm widely expected.

On the basis of that forecast and advice from police, the decision was taken to close all the Borders’ schools today for a second day.

Youngsters are being advised to make the most of their second day off and get in as much sledging, snowball-throwing and snowman-making as they can as they face having to return to school tomorrow, January 19.

An update from the Met Office at 10pm last night revised down the predicted snowfall to up to 15cm in the worst affected areas, with between 2cm and 5cm expected to fall more widely across the area covered by its amber weather warning.

However, as it turned out, the band of snow expected to hit the region actually headed south, affecting northern England instead.

Council chief executive Tracey Logan said: “The decision to close schools for a second day was taken following consideration of all options and in the interest of the safety of pupils, staff, parents and carers due to the volumes of snow forecast and the amber weather warning.

“We do not take these decisions lightly and only do so based on the latest information available and the advice of our partners, including the Met Office and Police Scotland.

“Public safety is our paramount consideration.

“The weather can be unpredictable, and we’ve not seen the expected snowfall overnight.

“However, there remains an ice risk and drivers are asked to drive with extreme caution.

“In addition to keeping our main routes clear, our resources will be focusing on clearing and treating routes we did not get to yesterday, with some minor and side roads still affected by snow and ice following the heavy snow that fell during Tuesday and overnight into Wednesday, which was far heavier and widespread than had been forecast.

“We would anticipate all schools being open tomorrow and are working to prepare them for that, including building checks and clearing routes to schools. However, we will continue to review that throughout the day.”

Only scattered light snow showers are forecast for today, though further snow is expected tomorrow.

Further updates will be available at www.scotborders.gov.uk and trafficscotland.org

A pensioner caused the death of an elderly friend by careless driving while on a golf outing, Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.

John Foster, 73, got lost on the A72 in the Borders as he tried to find the junction leading to the golf course at the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, near Peebles, on June 4.

He tried to turn off to a group of cottages to ask for directions at Horsburgh Ford but misjudged the junction and struck a car coming in the opposite direction.

His passenger Robert Kerr, 87, of Glasgow, was severely injured and died in hospital shortly afterwards.

Foster was given a 10-month restriction-of-liberty order between the hours of 7pm and 7am at his home in Moodiesburn, North Lanarkshire, and banned from the road for two years.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by careless driving.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser explained that the deceased had been married for 41 years, with two grown-up children living in Australia and England.

He said both men were members of the same parish church and had had gone on a golf outing it had organised.

Mr Fraser said: “They left Glasgow at around 7am and were heading for the Cardrona golf club.

“They were heading towards the Cardrona junction, and the accused was driving quite slowly at about 30mph.

“He indicated to turn right, which the vehicle following thought was a bit early.

“There was a vehicle coming from the opposite direction, and the accused drove across the path of the other car. It hit the rear side of the other car, and both vehicles spun out of control. There was a misjudgement of the speed of the west bound car.”

Mr Fraser said an off-duty doctor was quickly on the scene, as well as an air ambulance, but Mr Kerr died later that afternoon.

Defence lawyer Nicky Matteo said it had been a “tragic set of circumstances” and that Foster was distraught at the death of his friend.

He said: “He was a very good friend of his, and he feels responsible for the death of his friend.

“He has gone through various states of depression since the incident and feels ashamed.

“He was lost and trying to get to the cottages to get assistance.

“He did not judge the speed of the oncoming vehicle.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson was handed a letter from Mr Kerr’s family giving their views on the case, and he responded: “I have to say it is very commendable on behalf of the family. They have taken an enlightened view of the matter.”

Sheriff Paterson said it was a difficult task balancing the severe consequences and the criminality involved, adding that the criminality element was relatively low.

The sheriff said: “If there had not been for the tragic consequences of this, it would have been easier to deal with.”

Figures showing a threefold rise in reported assaults on Borders teachers by pupils have been blamed on a statistical anomaly.

A freedom of information request brought to light that there were 79 attacks on teachers reported in the last academic year, compared with 25 in 2015-16.

The council responded that the reason the figure was so low for 2015-16 wasn’t because of fewer assaults taking place but “due to a reduction overall in incidents reported”.

Borders MP John Lamont, pictured below, said any attacks on teachers are unnacceptable.

He told us: “It’s important to recognise that these are a relatively small number of instances.

“However, teachers should not be subjected to any form of assault at school.

“It just simply should not be happening.

“What is equally as concerning is that teachers felt unable to report incidents in 2015 for some reason.

“It’s important to make sure teachers feel empowered to tackle this type of behaviour, and it should remain the case that headteachers can expel pupils where necessary.

“However, we also need to look at the root causes for behaviour like this.”

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson told the Southern: “Some of the increase is down to repeat incidents involving the same pupils and teachers.

“In these instances, the council has taken steps to ensure that the necessary support is in place.”

The spokesperson addded that the council is confident that there was not a significant increase in the actual number of teachers being assaulted from year to year, and that in the case of repeat offenders, it looks to ensure that its “educational provision is appropriate” and “put in place alternative arrangements or specialist support”.

Mr Lamont added: “One measure which should be considered by the Scottish Government is centrally-funding school-based counselling, as is provided to pupils in Wales and Northern Ireland.

“Measures like that would go some way to helping support pupils and tackle this disruptive behaviour.”

Plans are afoot to make a Borders supermarket more energy-efficient.

A planning bid has been submitted to improve store equipment at Aldi in King Street, Galashiels, to “reduce its carbon footprint and future-proof its operations”.

Aldi is currently undertaking store improvements across its property portfolio.

For some, it is the dreaded white stuff, difficult to predict, and it makes driving, especially on our rural country roads, treacherous.

For others, it’s a chance to play.

But no-one can deny its beauty.

Our photographers – and our readers themselves – have been out and about over the last few days, capturing our beautiful Borders at its finest.

Here are a few of the photos. Click the button on the bottom left of the main image to open up the gallery.

A man caught shoplifting at the Tesco store in Galashiels has been jailed for a total of 240 days at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

George Tunnicliffe had been given a chance to retain his liberty by demonstrating that he could stay out of trouble but failed to take advantage of it, having breached a deferred sentence package after being caught stealing a mobile phone on Friday.

He appeared from custody and pleaded guilty to that theft charge.

Tunnicliffe, 56, was jailed for 60 days for that offence and for another 180 days for causing £6,000 worth of damage to vehicles at the AG Lees car sales forecourt in Huddersfield Street, Galashiels, on March 4.

He had been on deferred sentence for that offence but was warned of the consequences if he breached his good behaviour order.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Tunnicliffe was spotted leaving the Paton Street supermarket after picking up an iPhone 5 and not paying for it.

He said: “He put it in his pocket and ran from the store. He was seen throwing it under a car.”

Tunnicliffe, formerly of High Street, Galashiels, told police that another man had taken his phone and he had tried to steal another one to replace it.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told him: “When I placed you on a high-tariff deferred sentence, this was a test to see if you could behave. You have failed to do so.”

A man has been accused of stalking a former partner and her new boyfriend.

David Wotherspoon, 30, denies engaging in a course of conduct likely to cause the couple fear and alarm in Wallace Court in Hawick over a three-month period.

It is alleged that he persistently texted and approached her, struck the door of her property, refused to leave when requested, sent the pair of them abusive and offensive messages, engaged in abusive Facebook conversations and followed her in his car.

Wotherspoon, of Howdenbank, Hawick, faces a second charge of careless driving in Wallace Court on September 6.

A trial date has been fixed for March 8 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing on February 5.

Last night’s expected snowfall may not have been as bad as expected across the Borders, but police are still warning drivers to be extra cautious.

This morning’s rush hour saw minimal disruption to the road network, so Police Scotland reduced the advice to Stage 2 – travel with caution.

However, the latest Met Office yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in force until the early hours of Saturday, so people are reminded not to be complacent ... the weather could change quickly and further warnings may be issued.

Head of road policing for Police Scotland, Chief Superintendent Stewart Carle, said: “Road conditions have improved overnight with less snow falling than was expected. As a result of this, and motorists heeding our messages and driving to the conditions this morning, we are now able to advise everyone that despite there no longer being a high risk of disruption, there is still a need for all drivers to take extra caution.

“This means that you should continue to make sure you have sufficient fuel for your journey, and have supplies such as warm clothing, food, water and a fully charged mobile phone, before heading out. Be fully informed by checking the @PoliceScotland, @TrafficScotland and @MetOffice Twitter feeds before you travel to get the latest information and forecasts.

“No-one should ever place themselves at risk on the road and there are alternative arrangements you can make such as delaying travel until conditions improve or using public transport.

“The yellow warning for snow and ice is now in place, and with our partners we will continue to keep you updated whether conditions improve or worsen, and if there are any incidents that affect the road network.”