A team of wordsmiths and musicians from Kelso has pulled off a grand slam to win a national poetry prize.

A Kelso High School team was crowned winner of the Scottish Youth Poetry Slam with its poem Parents v Kids.

The seven-strong team from S3 and S4 came out on top in the final at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock last week, having previously won through a regional heat in Stirling.

Under the auspices of English teacher Brendan McAndrew and music teacher Caitlin Riley, pupils Sophie Hogarth, Chloe Nicol, Lexi Reader, Beth Fletcher, Leona Brown, Liberty Barber and Alex Bissett managed to control their nerves to deliver a show-stopping performance, finishing ahead of 2016 winners Port Glasgow High School and runners-up Mearns Castle.

“They were nervous before the final, but they were self-assured in the performance, which was amazing,” Mr McAndrew told us.

“I’m so proud of them. It was very stern competition, so it was wonderful to win it.

“All the work has been done out of class. They would go away and practise and then bring it back, and each time it was so much better.”

Event founder Rachel Jury added: “I’m delighted that Kelso High School have become this year’s slam masters.

“The standard was really high from all five schools, but the judges felt that Kelso High just pipped the others.”

The Scottish Youth Poetry Slam is a biannual competition encouraging young people to embrace language through poetry and spoken word, with dual emphasis on writing and performance.

Now in its second year, the project invites pupils to take part in music, poetry and performance workshops leading up to the event, held this year in collaboration with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, which helped create music to go with the poetry and performed at final.

It was a case of if you’ve got it, haunt it in Jedburgh last week as hundreds of little horrors not wanting to miss a trick flocked to the town centre in search of a treat.

Traders donned fancy dress and opened late to provide spook-tacular fun for more than 300 costumed kids hitting High Street to eat, drink and be scary.

Around a dozen shops took part, opening up from 6pm to 7.30pm last Wednesday to give the young revellers a fang-tastic evening to remember.

Now in its fifth year, the Jedburgh Halloween town trail is becoming a tradition , with the town’s traders coming together to provide a safe environment for young guisers to get together, show off their frightful outfits of choice and pose the traditional question of trick or treat.

Butcher’s AJ Learmonth is one of the businesses that takes part.

“We’ve done it right from the start, and it’s getting bigger and bigger every year,” said proprietor Alan Learmonth.

“It’s really good for the kids. It’s all free for them, and we shut the High Street off so it’s safe.

“The shopkeepers all dress up, and a lot of the parents get involved as well. The kids really enjoy it.

“It’s gone from strength to strength. It would be really great if all the shops in the High Street were involved. Hopefully that will happen one year.”

A pensioner is facing jail after being convicted at Jedburgh Sheriff Court of indecently assaulting two young girls.

Ronald Anderson had denied touching a nine-year-old girl’s buttocks at his home in St Clairs, Eyemouth, between April 2001 and April 2003.

The 67-year-old had also pleaded not guilty to touching a 13-year-old girl’s breasts at a house in Selkirk between December 2003 and May 2005.

The younger victim told the trial she had been staying overnight at the home of Anderson and his wife, and he came into the bedroom she was staying in that night and felt her bottom.

She decided to report the matter around 15 years later after seeing a picture of Anderson and becoming concerned that he might be working with children.

Anderson was found guilty following trial of sexual assault and lewd and libidinous practices.

Following that verdict, it emerged that Anderson was jailed for 54 months in 1988 at the High Court in Edinburgh for similar offences.

Sentence was deferred until December 10 for background reports, and Anderson was placed on the sex offenders’ register in the meantime.

A man will be sentenced next month for behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards a woman over several months.

Jonathan Williamson, 22, of Boonraw Road, Hawick, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to engaging in a course of conduct including assaulting the woman, damaging her vehicle and mobile phone and persistently telephoning her at an address in Minto Place, Hawick.

Sentence was deferred until December 10 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court for reports including a domestic abuse programme assessment.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Williamson: “You remain on bail. If you are back here again, you will end up in jail.”

Two cars have been stolen and four businesses targeted in raids across the Borders.

Police are appealing for information after four businesses in Earlston, Newtown and St Boswells were broken into overnight on Tuesday November 6.

A silver Volkswagan Golf GT Bluemotion with the registration plate DA64 GPK was stolen from Rogers Building firm’s yard in the Station Road area of Earlston between 7pm and 6.30am this morning.

A second car, a green Toyota Hilus, with registration AU12 TEC, was stolen alongside a three-figure sum of cash, from a garage in Charlesfield Industrial Estate, St Boswells.

Two further incidents happened in the Waverley Place area of Newton St Boswells where more than £2,000 worth of cleaning products were stolen from one premises, and a second premises was broken into but had nothing taken from it.

Police are treating the incident as linked and anyone with any information is asked to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Callum Peoples from Galashiels CID said: “This has been a brazen theft of vehicles, goods and cash and we believe those involved have targeted these premises.

“Our inquiries are at an early stage, however we believe the suspects to include at least three men.

“I would appeal to anyone who noticed any suspicious vehicles or behaviour in the areas in the days prior to the thefts, or has any information that can help our enquiries, to get in touch as soon as possible.

“I would ask the public to report any sightings of the stolen vehicles, and be mindful that the registration plates may since have changed.

“Anyone with any information that can help with our enquiries is asked to contact us as soon as possible.”

Those with information can contact Galashiels CID via 101, quoting incident numbers 0430 (Station Road, Earlston), 0628 (Charlesfield) or 0883 (Waverley Place) of November 7.

Alternatively a report can be submitted to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A Jedburgh man who helped free a young driver from a burning car has been honoured with a bravery award from Police Scotland.

Shaun Carroll, 51, was commended for his selfless actions at the Police Scotland Bravery Awards, held at the force’s Tulliallan headquarters, today.

That recognition comes after he appeared at the scene of an accident in Dalkeith last December. A car had come to rest on its side with its engine bay was well alight and the driver trapped inside.

“Shaun arrived at the crash and on hearing the driver’s screams, bravely approached the burning vehicle to help,” a police spokeswoman said. “He found the courage and strength to push the vehicle over sufficiently to allow the driver to escape. He then administered first aid and contacted emergency services.

“The driver was later released from hospital with minor cuts and bruises, thanks to Shaun’s brave actions.

Shaun, who is chairman of Jedburgh Royal British Legion and a well-known handy-man around the town, said receiving the award was an “honour”.

“When I saw the accident and then realised someone was trapped I knew I needed to move the burning car to allow the young lady to get out,” he said. “I’m glad I was able to push the vehicle over and hold the weight to allow the driver to escape.”

He added: “I didn’t expect this at all. The car was on its side, on fire and she couldn’t get out. Instinct took over and I just went in to stupid mode.”

His “proud as punch” wife, Marie, who travelled to Tulliallan to receive the award with Shaun today, added: “At the time of the incident I thought I was going to lose my husband in front of my eyes as I thought the car was going to blow up.

“It was very scary, however I’m extremely proud of him for risking his life to save the young girl.

“He definitely deserves this recognition, I’m proud as punch .”

Shaun was the only civilian to be recognised at the awards which are held annually to celebrate outstanding acts of bravery displayed by members of the public and police officers who put the protection of others before their own safety.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “These selfless acts of care, courage and professionalism include many instances where immense courage was shown in helping people at their greatest time of need, actions that were often life changing for all involved.

“I am privileged to lead an organisation that serves the public with officers and staff who go above and beyond the call of duty every day, to ensure the safety and protection of others.”

Kelso’s eagerly-anticipated appearance in this year’s Marks and Spencer Christmas advert hit the small screen today.

A section of the store’s 2018 christmas advert was filmed in the town last month after the square was transformed into a winter wonderland for the evening.

Hundreds of curious onlookers flocked to watch filming for the ad as darkness fell but the retail giant managed to keep the commercial’s concept under wraps, until today.

Entitled “What’s your M&S Christmas favourite?” the advert features a host of celebrities wearing M&S winter woolies describing their favourite Christmas food available from the store.

But the opening scene, just six seconds in, pauses briefly on a winter-wonderland style Kelso square first.

See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgfPAVx8glo&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3SGjUoak-OyUbxdTNyHnm-v_KtT9mfLyiqhJzxOQTQ7gBJjOhVj745P1g

An M&S spokesperson’s caption adds: “This year, we’ve travelled the length and the breadth of the country to ask the nation what their M&S Christmas Favourite is.

“What’s your favourite M&S food? Join the conversation using #MyMarksFave”

In recent years, supermarkets and department stores have gone head to head in a bid to create the best yuletide advert, with the Marks and Spencer’s showing being one of those most eagerly anticipated by TV viewers.

This year’s is based on the ad’s stars receiving Christmas surprises. A section featuring one-time Doctor Who actress Jill Winternitz was filmed in London in September , with TV presenter Holly Willoughby and actress Helen Mirren also featuring.

Read the original story here: https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/kelso-traders-hope-m-s-christmas-advert-will-be-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-1-4809456

Four stalwarts of Hawick Common Riding’s organising committee have been honoured with life memberships after completing almost a century of service between them.

At the committee’s annual general meeting in the lesser town hall last Thursday, that rare honour was bestowed on John Hope, Billy Welsh, George Linton and Stuart Marshall.

It was handed out in recognition of their voluntary efforts in helping ensure that the annual common riding has been a success, year after year, for decades.

Having served the committee for nearly 20 years, Mr Hope, cornet in 1963, was master of ceremonies for 12 years and, before that, assistant master of ceremonies for three years.

Mr Welsh and Mr Linton, ball convener for three years, have worked tirelessly for the committee, helping out at all functions and marshalling rideouts and huts for many decades.

Mr Marshall was vice-chairman for three years and succeeded the late Ronnie Nichol as chairman in 2009, serving until 2014, with four of those years also being spent as a councillor and honorary provost.

The Hawick and Denholm councillor enjoyed the rare distinction of holding all three roles at one time.

Mr Marshall was also hut convener for many years and presided over the 500th anniversary common riding in 2014.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to become the one of the newest life members, and I’m very grateful to the common riding committee for recognising me in this way.

“I look forward very much to assisting them in whatever way that I can.”

Mr Hope added: “Becoming a life member at last week’s AGM was a wonderful and kind gesture by the committee, and I’m certainly looking forward to giving them as much support as possible when they start to put plans in place for the common riding next year.”

Committee chairman Cameron Knox said: “Congratulations are due to the four gentlemen who were given honorary life membership of the common riding committee at the recent AGM.

“Between them, they have served on our committee in various roles for a total of nearly 100 years, and their experience and knowledge of the common riding is invaluable to the committee.”

Hawick’s Wilton Lodge Park could be designated as a place of living remembrance to those killed in the First World War.

It has been nominated for centenary field status as part of a project launched in 2014 by Fields in Trust and the Royal British Legion to secure recreational spaces in perpetuity as places to honour those killed in the 1914-1918 conflict.

The park’s green spaces around the town’s war memorials there would be protected and known nationally as spaces dedicated to remembrance in the future.

Hawick and Hermitage councillor and honorary provost Watson McAteer says, if successful, it’s a status which the town would cherish.

“It would be a really positive thing for the town and something the town would be really supportive of,” he said.

“It’s definitely something that we would cherish.”

The bid has been backed by the town’s ex-servicemen’s Club, branch of Royal British Legion Scotland, town councillors and the Callants’ Club.

Mr McAteer added: “I am also going to write, as town provost, to Centenary Fields expressing the fact that we are pleased to have been nominated and to highlight what else has been going on in the park.

“The Callants’ Club has just received permission to plant three negatives, cutouts of those soldier silhouettes planted in Flanders Fields this year, in the park.

“That will be quite a spectacular addition to the Boer War memorial and the cenotaph. The museum there also hosts the roll of honour and the park itself is award-winning.”

Wilton Lodge Park is home to two war memorials.

One is the 1921 cenotaph by James B Dunn and the accompanying bronze statue, entitled Spirit of Youth Triumphing over Evil by Alexander Leslie, which together commemorates those who died in both the first and second world wars.

The second, the Boer War memorial, was erected at the south end of the park in remembrance of the men of Hawick and district who fell in that war of 1899 to 1902.

Fields in Trust has until the end of the year to make its decision on the nomination, but Mr McAteer says the town should be hopeful of positive news.

“It fits the bill,” he added. “The park and its location makes a perfect spot to be awarded centenary field status.

“The scheme itself is a great thing, and I hope we are going to be successful.”

To qualify as a centenary field, sites must include a war memorial and be used for sports and recreation, and if accepted into the programme they will receive special protective status and a commemorative plaque.

If approved, Wilton Lodge Park will be one of 2,735 such parks holding centenary field status in the UK.

Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee has also put forward Lower Green in West Linton and Duns Park for the scheme.

Executive director Rob Dickson, said: “We feel the parks we have nominated, for all the self-evident reasons, are appropriate because of their location in their communities or because of existing war memorials or interests in those areas.

“There was quite an extensive bit of dialogue with various stakeholders, and community groups and neighbourhoods have come up with this proposition.”

There are no funds associated with the project.

Sunday marks 100 years to the day since the guns fell silent on the Western Front, signalling the of the First World War, and Hawick nd surrounding villages have gone above and beyond the call of duty to mark that centenary.

In Hawick,the pipe band will lead a parade from the Common Haugh, via Victoria Road and the Avenue to the war memorial in Wilton Lodge Park for a service at 11am.

After the service, there will be a march back into town and along the High Street.

The rebuilt German memorial at Stobs Camp will be unveiled at 2pm, and Derek Robertson will launch his book Hawick and the Great War in the town hall at 4pm.

At 6.30pm, a beacon-lighting ceremony with prayer, roll of honour and the playing of the Lament and Last Post will take place at Miller’s Knowes.

There will be short parades, led by Hawick Scout Pipe Band to war memorials at Bedrule, Cavers and Stobs at 11.55am, 12.55pm and 1.25pm respectively.

A single piper will be at Bonchester war memorial at 11.55pm and Chesters war memorial at 12.25pm.

Before that, at 6am, pipers will play Battle’s O’er at each of these memorials, as well as Roberton and Ashkirk, Denholm, Minto and Bedrule, as part of a national tribute.

A service will be held at Minto Church at 10am before a short procession, led by Hawick Scout Pipe Band, to Denholm’s village war memorial, where a wreath will be laid.

A short parade follows, again led by the band, through Denholm to the war memorial on the green at 11.30am for an act of remembrance there.

At noon, a dedication and short service will take place at Bedrule war memorial.

Back in Denholm, a football match, in honour of the First World War ceasefire of Christmas day 1914, will take place on the green at 2.30pm.

Between 2pm and 4.30pm, afternoon teas and an exhibition of war memorabilia take place in the village hall.

Schoolchildren will read poetry at 2.15pm.

At 6.50pm, a dedication for peace will be read out at Denholm war memorial, followed by the playing of the Last Post there and at Minto Church gates and Bedrule war memorial.

At 7pm, beacons will be lit on Ruberslaw and Minto Hill followed by the ringing of church bell at Denholm, Minto and Bedrule at 7.05pm.

There will be a chance to catch the village hall exhibition again between 7pm and 8pm.

Members, players and supporters of Selkirk Rugby Club gathered at Philiphaugh on Saturday to pay their respects to the 40 past players from the club killed in the two world wars and witness the unveiling of a permanent memorial in their memory.

Gusting winds and driving rain did not deter Souters, who braved the elements and turned up in sizeable numbers.

More than 100 club members and guests also attended a special memorial lunch before the home game against Musselburgh.

The memorial plaque, funded by individual donations from committee members, past players and supporters, was unveiled by club president Bennie Rafferty.

The names of the players were read out by Ali Cullen and Karen Findlater, representing the wives and mothers left behind.

Commemorative wreaths were then laid by David Deacon on behalf of Royal British Legion Scotland, Jim Newlands on behalf of Selkirk RFC past players’ club, vice-president Gus Boag on behalf of the general committee, Mary Inglis on behalf of supporters, club captain Ewan MacDougall for the players, Andrew Cochrane for the Selkirk High School rugby team, Ian Pretswell for Selkirk Youth Club and jointly by Hamish Cleghorn and Cameron Cowens on behalf of Selkirk Rhinos.

A minute’s silence was followed by a lament played by piper Kevin Turnbull.

Mr Rafferty welcomed guests to the lunch, sponsored by PoppyScotland and Royal British Legion Scotland.

The Selkirk Grace was recited by John Purvis and the loyal toast was proposed by David Deacon of the Selkirk and Ettrick Forest branch of the legion.

Vice-president Gus Boag gave his reflections on the players and the war and Jim Harold told some of the stories turned up by research on the players who did not return.

Selkirk’s players then capped the day with a hard-fought win over Musselburgh deemed by the club as “a truly fitting tribute to the young men whose shirts they now wear”.

On Sunday, piper Mr Turnbull will play When the Battle’s Over at Selkirk war memorial as part of a national tribute.

The parade will leave the Valley at 9.25am and head to Selkirk Parish Church, where there will be a service from 9.45am to 10.30am.

Following the service the parade will reform and head for the war memorial, where the last post will be played, flag dipped and wreaths laid at 11am.

The parade will then march back to the Valley, passing West Port and Market Place, where local dignitaries will take the salute at the pant well. The parade will be dismissed on the High Street.

At 12.30pm, again as part of a national event, the bell will be rung at Selkirk Parish Church.

An Peebles police officer who rescued an elderly couple from their West Linton during the last winter’s Beast from the East storm has collected a bravery award for his efforts.

Sergeant David Rourke fought his way on foot through 12ft high snow drifts in plummeting temperatures to reach Myra and Roger Lukehurst, only realising he had successfully found them when he realised he was standing on their roof.

Their home had been entirely engulfed in snow and several rescue attempts by locals had failed.

The 32-year-old abandoned his 4x4 and made his way across fields to reach the pensioners, who were running dangerously low on medical supplies and were completely out of heating fuel. He created a path to allow the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team to rescue the couple and their two dogs.

Sergeant Rourke said: “It’s a privilege to be nominated, but on the day I was just doing what I joined the police to do, assist people at their time of need.

“The elderly couple were trapped with 12 foot snow drifts, and even an attempt to get them out with a tractor had failed.

“They had no heating and were running out of supplies of medicine and the closest main road, the A72, was completely closed for its entire length through the Borders.

“The house was literally being buried in the snow to the point at one end I was standing on the roof of the house. I dug down in to the front door, spoke to the occupants and whilst waiting on the mountain rescue I essentially created a snow path to help them get out safely.

“It also goes without saying that the volunteers of Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue provided us with invaluable assistance which played a major role in ensuring we were able to work effectively in keeping people safe during the worst weather conditions I have seen during my service.”

Sergeant Rourke collected his award from chief inspector Iain Livingstone at the force’s Tulliallan training centre last Thursday.

Susan Deacon, chair of Scottish Police Authority, said: “Our police service works tirelessly to keep the people of Scotland safe and I am constantly inspired and humbled by the courage and commitment shown by officers, staff and members of the public who go above and beyond to come to the aid of others. These acts of bravery represent the very best of public service and the very best of humanity and I am pleased that we have this opportunity to recognise and applaud each and every one of these exceptional people.”

After weeks of preparation, the Borders is set to remember its war dead this Sunday.

On Armistice Day, poppy wreaths will be laid, acts of remembrance held and silences observed.

It will be 100 years to the day since the guns fell silent on the western front, signalling the of the First World War, and our communities have gone above and beyond the call of duty by creating, poppy cascades, decorating shop fronts and organising events to mark that centenary.

A service will be held at Minto Church at 10am before a short procession, led by Hawick Scout Pipe Band, to Denholm’s village war memorial, where a wreath will be laid.

A short parade follows, again led by the band, through Denholm to the war memorial on the green at 11.30am for an act of remembrance there.

At noon, a dedication and short service will take place at Bedrule war memorial.

Back in Denholm, a football match, in honour of the First World War ceasefire of Christmas day 1914, will take place on the green at 2.30pm.

Between 2pm and 4.30pm, afternoon teas and an exhibition of war memorabilia take place in the village hall.

Schoolchildren will read poetry at 2.15pm.

At 6.50pm, a dedication for peace will be read out at Denholm war memorial, followed by the playing of the Last Post there and at Minto Church gates and Bedrule war memorial.

At 7pm, beacons will be lit on Ruberslaw and Minto Hill followed by the ringing of church bell at Denholm, Minto and Bedrule at 7.05pm.

There will be a chance to catch the village hall exhibition again between 7pm and 8pm.

In Galashiels, a parade, led by the pipe band, will march from the town’s Royal British Legion club at 10.20am, along Channel Street to the war memorial for an act of remembrance at 11am, returning via Bank Street.

That evening, as part of Gala Remembers, a second service will take place at the Cornmill Square war memorial at 7.30pm.

In Hawick,the pipe band will lead a parade from the Common Haugh, via Victoria Road and the Avenue to the war memorial in Wilton Lodge Park for a service at 11am.

After the service, the there will be a march back into town and along the High Street before retiring to the town hall.

There will be short parades, led by Hawick Scout Pipe Band to war memorials at Bedrule, Cavers and Stobs at 11.55am, 12.55pm and 1.25pm respectively.

A single piper meanwhile will be at Bonchester war memorial at 11.55pm and Chesters war memorial at 12.25pm.

Before that, at 6am, pipers will play Battle’s O’er at each of these memorials, as well as Roberton and Ashkirk, Denholm, Minto and Bedrule, as part of a national tribute.

The rebuilt German memorial at Stobs Camp will be unveiled at 2pm, and Derek Robertson will launch his book Hawick and the Great War in the town hall at 4pm.

At 6.30pm, a beacon lighting ceremony with prayer, roll of honour and the playing of the Lament and Last Post will take place at Miller’s Knowes.

In Jedburgh, a parade, led by the pipe band, will leave the legion club in High Street at 10.40am with a wreath laid at the war memorial at 11am.

Kelso’s parade, led by the pipe band, will leave the square at 10.30am and arrive at the war memorial, via Bridge Street, for a service at 11am.

The club function room will host entertainment from 1pm featuring Kelso Pipe Band, poems from high school pupils, songs from Bob Liddle and readings from Alasdair Hutton.

A small exhibition of First World War exhibits is also running in the snooker room.

In Lauder, pipers will lead a parade from the Avenue and along Main Street to the war memorial, where a wreath will be laid at a ceremony at 11am before the parade continues to the church.

In Melrose, the pipe band will lead the parade, leaving at 10.45am, through the square to the war memorial at Melrose Parish Church, where a wreath will be laid at 11am.

That evening, Abbey Consort will perform their concert War and Peace in the church.

In Peebles, Saturday’s remembrance march will leave the Gytes at 10am. Royal Regiment of Scotland Cruachan IV will lead the march onto the High Street and down to the old parish church where community choir InChorus will perform on the church steps from 10.15am.

On Sunday, the traditional remembrance parade will march from the parish church along High Street to the war memorial for a service there at 11am.

Further wreath-laying ceremonies will take place at war memorials in Ancrum, Caddonfoot, Cappercleuch, Crailing, Earlston, Edgerston, Ettrick and Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Traquair, Walkerburn and Yetholm at 11am, and Innerleithen at 12pm.

A teenager threatened to stab supermarket workers trying to stop him stealing a bottle of wine, Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.

Morgan Kennedy, 19, of Jura Drive, Tweedbank, pleaded guilty to committing that offence at Sainsbury’s in Peebles on August 28 last year.

When challenged by staff members, he told them: “I have been diagnosed with mental health issues and I am going to stab you.”

Kennedy was fined £100 and told to pay £100 compensation to two employees of the Northgate store.

He was also fined another £100 for threatening violence towards his mother and damaging a door at the family home in Dalatho Crescent in Peebles on November 19.

A 20-year-old factory worker has been banned from the road for 12 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court after admitting careless driving while under the influence of cannabis.

William Craig, of Maitland Road, Lauder, pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs on the A68 between St Boswells and Newtown on November 15 last year.

The court heard that the manner of Craig’s driving was causing concern as his car was weaving across the road and braking sharply when there was no need to do so.

After stopping the vehicle, carrying three male passengers, police officers detected a strong smell of cannabis inside.

A breath test for alcohol proved negative, but a blood sample tested positive for cannabis.

In addition to a year-long disqualification, Craig was fined £200 for driving while unfit through drugs and £200 for careless driving.

Driving while disqualified on various streets in Hawick has resulted in a teenage sports student being banned from the road for 16 months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Stephen Davidson, 18, of Howdenburn Court, Jedburgh, also admitted driving dangerously and with no insurance on August 3.

The court was told that Davidson was spotted in the car park at Morrisons in Hawick with his girlfriend and was recognised as a disqualified driver.

Police officers later saw him in the car park and put their blue lights on, but Davidson drove off at excessive speed.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Davidson: “If you don’t know by now, driving while disqualified is a serious issue.

“The court takes these things extremely seriously.”

Davidson was ordered to carry out 80 hours’ unpaid work and disqualified from driving for another 16 months.

He will also have to re-sit an extended driving test before getting his licence back.

A teenager out celebrating her 19th birthday got involved in a drunken bust-up with the police and ended up in Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Alisha Brown pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on the B7079 road near Selkirk and in a police vehicle travelling to Hawick police station.

She admitted shouting, screaming and swearing and repeatedly striking the interior of a police vehicle.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the incident started at around 9pm on September 8 when Brown was spotted in Selkirk’s Ettrick Road appearing to be “heavily intoxicated” and being followed by a man trying to calm her down.

He continued: “She was making a lot of noise, and a member of the public phoned the police at this stage because of the shouting and swearing.

“The male told police she had been consuming alcohol, and the officers tried to get her to calm down, but she would not and was taken into custody.

“This behaviour continued all the way to the police station.”

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client had been drinking to celebrate her birthday and was feeling emotional because her stepfather had died recently.

He said: “She was struggling emotionally and sought consolement in alcohol.”

Brown, of Bannerfield Drive, Selkirk, was fined £150.

A wife made jealous by her husband allegeddly flirting with another woman at the Chinese restaurant where they all worked ended up attacking him in the street, Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.

Juan Wu, 45, pleaded guilty to slapping, punching and kicking Qi Sheng to the head and body in Ettrick Terrace and West Port in Selkirk on November 22.

The court heard that an argument broke out between the pair after she became jealous about him speaking to another member of their staff.

A member of the public witnessed Wu attacking her husband in the street and called the police.

Wu, of Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, was admonished after being of good behaviour during six months of deferred sentence.

A report out this week reveals a 100% increase in the death toll claimed by roads in the Borders.

There were eight fatalities on the region’s roads between April and September this year, up from four over the same half-year period in 2017, according to Police Scotland figures presented to a meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s police, fire and rescue and safer communities board today, November 9.

There was also a near-40% rise in serious injuries, up from 28 to 39, and a 47% increase in those killed or seriously injured, from 32 to 47.

The report reveals that motorcyclists or their passengers accounted for three-quarters of the eight fatalities recorded, most of them from outside the region.

A report to the committee says: “It is disappointing to see a 100% increase in fatalities in the Scottish Borders.

“Six of these accidents relate to motorcycles. Four of the riders reside outwith the Scottish Borders and were passing through the area.

“It is hoped that the motorcycle programme introduced into Drivewise this year and the current interest in rolling out Drivewise in other council areas will positively impact on these figures going forward.

“Training community officers and community action team members skilled in the use of handheld radars are utilised to provide a visible presence and to prevent speeding.

“‘Pop-up Bob’, a life-size image of a police officer, is also used to deter speeding.”

On a positive note, there has been a continued reduction in reports of domestic violence over the same period, down from 558 to 510, an 8.6% fall.

The report adds: “This reduction positively reflects on the work being carried out by police and partner agencies to intervene at an early stage, reducing the risk of behaviour becoming criminal.”

Violent crime is also down by 20 per cent and overall crimes reported have fallen from 1,555 to 1,489.

The six bikers involved in fatal crashes included two Northumbrians – John Dent, 53, of Hexham, and Jerry Taylor, 54, of Haydon Bridge, killed by collisions on the A68 near Jedburgh on Sunday, July 8, and on the A6112 near Coldstream on Sunday, October 7, respectively.

Two of the other accidents took place in July too.

Kyle Christensen, 30, of Hawick, died after colliding with a car in his home town’s Eildon Road on Saturday, July 7, and off-duty East Lothian police officer Rhys Prentice, 24, was killed after his Yamaha bike crashed into a silver Peugeot near Galashiels on Sunday, July 15.

Pillion passenger Bronte Hutchinson, 23, of Jedburgh, died after falling off a motorcycle at a roundabout near Galashiels on Sunday, August 5, and a thus far unnamed motorcyclist, aged 43, was killed in a collision on Thursday, September 6, on the B709 between Tushielaw and Wardlaw, near Selkirk.