An employee caught driving a business vehicle when more than twice the alcohol limit is to lose his licence and job.
David Assing was stopped by police on his way home from work after drinking with a friend.
Forty-seven-year-old Assing will lose his employment with Waverley Housing Association as a result of the offence.
The first offender, of Orchard Park, St Boswells, admitted driving a car at Main Street, St Boswells, on December 13 with a breath/alcohol reading of 73 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.
Prosecutor Graham Fraser said: “He is employed by a local housing association and this happened about 8pm on a Thursday evening. Police were on duty on the south side of St Boswells and saw the vehicle, which belonged to the accused’s employers, travelling north.
“They had information and pulled the vehicle over, and were immediately aware of a smell of alcohol.
“The accused said he had been drinking in Denholm and was travelling home.”
Matt Patrick, defending, said his client had stopped to meet a friend on his way back from work. Over two-and-a-half hours, he consumed three pints of lager and thought he would be okay to drive.
The lawyer added: “He is employed by Waverley Housing Association and will lose his job as a result of this conviction.”
Sheriff Kevin Drummond, telling Assing: “This is a question of public safety”, fined him £300 and imposed a 12-month driving disqualification.