A drunken man was told he should be “thoroughly, thoroughly ashamed” of his disruptive behaviour at Borders General Hospital, where his mother works.
Imposing an alternative sentence to custody, Sheriff Mhari Mactaggart told Stuart Gallagher: “You turn up drunk and create this kind of scene – distress to staff and those being treated. You should be thoroughly, thoroughly ashamed of yourself, not just because you conducted yourself in this manner, but that you also did it where your mother works.”
Sheriff Mactaggart also told Gallagher he needed to address his drinking.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community payback order, with a condition he completes 110 hours of unpaid work within six months.
Gallagher, 22, of Davidson Place, Newtown St Boswells, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the BGH on July 10.
“He went there in the early hours of a Tuesday morning with a friend, who had been admitted by ambulance,” explained procurator fiscal Graham Fraser.
The prosecutor said: “He was there as moral support and was asked to wait in the waiting area, but refused to do so. For no apparent reason, he continually refused to move to the waiting area, or to wait outside.”
Mr Fraser added: “A staff nurse, who knew the accused, said she would speak to him and try to calm the situation, and she also asked him to sit in the waiting area, but he began to shout and swear.
“He adopted an aggressive posture, leaning across the reception desk, and the police were called.”
Gallagher “tensed his body” as police tried to handcuff him and he then tried to lash out at officers, eventually being taken to the ground.
Defence solicitor Mat Patrick said his client had little recollection of the offence.
“He was drunk and has no explanation for his behaviour other than his intoxication. He was only there to accompany a friend,” added Mr Patrick.
The lawyer went on: “His mother works at the BGH, so his behaviour has caused her deep embarrassment, and he is under no illusions that this was unacceptable and should never have happened.”
Mr Patrick said Gallagher had been taking steps to reduce his drinking.