A MOTORIST who failed to give breath samples after being suspected of drinking and driving has been banned from the road for three years at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Forty-four-year-old Gary Owens, from Turiff, Aberdeenshire, pleaded guilty to the offence after being stopped by police in Earlston.

He tested positive at the roadside and was taken to Hawick Police Station but refused to provide two further specimens of breath.

Sheriff Peter Paterson noted he had a previous conviction for a similar offence and said he could only speculate on why the offshore wind farm worker did not comply.

In addition to the three-year ban, Owens was fined £500 with a £20 victim surcharge.