A MOTORIST has been banned from the road for two years after admitting a dangerous driving charge.

Thirty-five-year-old courier driver Mark Sutherland pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on the A68 in Earlston and in various streets in Lauder on November 28, 2021.

Prosecutor Drew Long told Selkirk Sheriff Court how a member of the public had followed Sutherland at around 3am after becoming concerned at the manner of his driving and had called the police.

He had been swerving across the road and driving at excessive speed and after an altercation between the pair, Sutherland then pursued the member of the public on the A68 to Lauder.

It ended with Sutherland confronting the member of the public by shouting and swearing at him and striking the windscreen and bonnet of the car.

He followed him again and collided with the rear of the vehicle before driving off.

Defence lawyer Liam Alexander said that prior to the offence his client had experienced difficulties with a number of individuals in the Borders with disputes and windows being smashed and had become “paranoid” when he was initially followed.

But he now accepted the witness had only been concerned at the manner of his driving and the incident had got out of hand.

Mr Alexander said Sutherland was now going to lose his licence as a consequence of being disqualified.

Sheriff Kevin McCarron described Sutherland’s behaviour as very concerning having driven dangerously over a sustained period of time.

He said: “You are a risk on the road and the public needs to be protected from you.”

Sutherland, of Angraflat, Kelso, was banned from driving for two years and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving and threatening or abusive behaviour.

Sheriff McCarron warned Sutherland that if he breached the order he would be sent to custody.