A STUDENT who was caught drink driving in Kelso has been banned from the road for 12 months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Eighteen year old Katie Marwick from Gordon was almost four times the limit as she headed home on the A6089 road during the early hours of December 30.

Depute fiscal Tessa Bradley said police officers were on mobile patrol when they saw a car being driven unusually slowly at between 10 and 15 mph and in an erratic manner.

She continued: "The car was stopped and the now accused was slurring her speech. There was a smell of alcohol and she kept putting her hand up to cover her mouth. A roadside breath test proved positive.

"She was taken to Duns Police Station and gave two samples - the lower reading being 85 microgrammes over 22.

"She made no reply to caution and charge."

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client had no previous convictions and the plan had been to leave her car at Kelso Racecourse following a night-out but she lost the people who were going to give her a lift into town and decided to drive herself.

He commented: "She cannot over-emphasise her regret which is the totally appropriate response to this."

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he would have imposed a 16 months disqualification but reduced it to 12 months due to the guilty plea.

In addition Marwick was fined £200 which was reduced from £300 due to the guilty plea.