A criminal who re-offended within three months of his release, found himself back behind bars for 16 months.
John Chapman, 22, was released from prison last August, and by November was re-offending, Selkirk Sheriff Court heard on Monday.
On November 6, Chapman of Laurel Grove, Galashiels, admitted stealing property from a house and an unlocked vehicle in Lothian Street, Hawick.
A month later, after being released on bail, he admitted stealing a bottle of vodka from the Co-op in Gala Park, Galashiels.
He was again released on bail, and on February 26 behaved in a threatening manner in Gala Park, Galashiels.
He also struggled violently with police at Galashiels Police Station and spat on an officer.
Depute fiscal Tessa Bradley said the latest offending began in the Co-op car park at Gala Park, where a man had parked his car and gone into the shop.
As he was leaving, he came across Chapman, who accused him of persistently pressing the buzzer to his flat in the early hours of the morning.
The man’s partner wound down the car window, and heard Chapman shouting, “Don’t press my buzzer at stupid times, or I’ll smash you.”
As the man continued to walk toward the vehicle, Chapman continued to shout, challenging him to a fight.
The man got into the car, and his partner contacted the police, who attended at Chapman’s home. “He was arrested and taken to Galashiels Police Station,” continued Ms Bradley.
“When two officers went to the cells to tell him he was being taken to Hawick, he began shouting and swearing, and resisted being placed in handcuffs, and had to be restrained.
“He was put into a police vehicle, and turned round and spat, with most of his spittle landing on the officer’s stab vest, rather than his face,” added Ms Bradley.
Solicitor Ross Dow, defending, said his client had been under the influence of alcohol at the time.
“He struggled with the police as he knew that he had messed up big time, as he has been longing for a DTTO,” explained Mr Dow.
“He finds custody relatively easy,” added Mr Dow.
Sheriff Kevin Drummond sentenced Chapman to seven months imprisonment, to be served after nine months of unexpired sentence.
He received a two-month jail term for the November offences, and six months for the offence in December.
Chapman was sentenced to seven months imprisonment for the February offence – all to run concurrently.
“In June 2011, you were sentenced to three years imprisonment, with one year of supervised release,” he told Chapman.
“You were released on August 10 2012, and committed theft on November 6, and were released on bail.
“On December 6, you committed the theft of alcohol from the Co-op in Galashiels, while on bail.
“You were again released on bail, and on February 26, while on two bail orders, supervised release, and unexpired sentence, you engage in this behaviour.
“There is no way you are ready for a DTTO, and I have concerns about your ability to function in the community,” he concluded.
The 16-month jail term was back-dated to February 27.
As Chapman left the dock, he shouted “Thank you very much.”