AN engineering consultant working on the options for a second bridge crossing in Peebles has been fined for careless driving.

Scott Leithem of Govans Way in Cardrona way was spotted by police overtaking on the A703 near Leadburn during the afternoon of July 28.

At Peebles Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Procurator fiscal depute Tessa Bradley said: “Officers were monitoring this stretch of road which is an accident blackspot.

“They witnessed the accused overtaking and he had to force his way back onto the right side of the carriageway before the bend. The car being overtaken had to brake.” The court was told that the 46-year-old senior associate with a company in Edinburgh was following another vehicle when they came across a slow-moving vehicle.

And as both went to overtake on a long straight the car in front braked suddenly.

Sheriff Peter Paterson fined first-offender Leithem £400 and his licence was endorsed with six penalty points.