When police woke a driver sleeping in his car, he told officers he was fine and sitting in his garden.

Andrew Cameron was found to be approaching four times the drink driving limit.

The 43-year-old gardener of Mill Cottage, Stobo Home Farm, Peebles, admitted driving a car on the B712 near Stobo on September 3, with a breath/alcohol reading of 78 mcgs – the legal limit being 22.

Police on mobile patrol noticed a BMW car parked on the roadside with its lights on and could see exhaust fumes from the tail pipe.

Officers stopped and went to investigate, and saw the accused asleep in the driver’s seat.

“They knocked on the window and his speech was slurred as he told them he was fine and was sitting in his garden,” explained prosecutor Tessa Bradley.

“They pointed out to him that he was actually sitting in his car, and switched the engine off,” added Ms Bradley, who said Cameron had been co-operative with police.

Solicitor Heather Stewart said her client worked as a gardener, and his employment was dependant on his driving licence.

“It is likely his employment will be terminated,” she said.

Ms Stewart said her client had been out drinking and was heading home.

“By his own admission, drinking has become an issue since the sudden death of his wife last year,” she explained.

Cameron, a first offender, was fined £200 and banned from driving for 12 months.