A PRESTONPANS motorist has escaped a road ban following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Garth Sergeant, 33, was alleged to have driven a vehicle while three times the drink-drive limit at the town’s Fowlers Court in January.

Sergeant, of McLachlan Gardens, denied the offence and stood trial in front of Sheriff Adrian Cottam at the city court last Monday.

Following evidence being heard, Sergeant was found guilty of the alternative offence of being in charge of a vehicle while over the drink-drive limit, instead of actually driving with 67mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 22mg.

Sheriff Cottam told the driver he would have to pay a £400 fine and a £20 victim surcharge but stopped short of banning him from driving.

Instead, the sheriff placed 10 points on Sergeant’s licence.

Sergeant was found guilty of being in charge of a vehicle with 67mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath at Fowlers Court, Prestonpans, on January 11.