A Hawick woman who behaved in a threatening or abusive manner at her home was sentenced to a 12-month community payback order, with 120 hours of unpaid work.
Aimee Jones, 29, of Melrose Court, admitted shouting, screaming and swearing on May 15. On a further complaint of assault, Jones had sentence deferred for six months, until January 17, to be of good behaviour.
“If you are not of good behaviour, you can expect custody,” warned Sheriff Derrick McIntyre at Jedburgh on Friday.
Jones pleaded guilty to assaulting her partner to his injury at her home on June 20.
Prosecutor Kate McGarvey told how the couple had been in a relationship for some 18 months and had been out drinking, returning home around 1am.
“For no apparent reason, she launched into an attack on him, punching him several times to the head and scratching him on the face, neck and chest,” explained Ms McGarvey.
He left the house but, after a phone call between them, returned.
The prosecutor went on: “The same thing happened again, when he was again punched several times and scratched. She also called him a ‘pussy’ for not fighting back.”
Defence solicitor Ross Dow said the pair had reconciled, adding: “She is embarrassed and ashamed by her behaviour. She knows that she must address her alcohol problem, and is doing so, and is on the right track now.”
BILL FOR DOOR DAMAGE
After an argument with his partner, Brian Potts went to her home to try to talk to her, but became angry and kicked a door.
Potts, 27, of Anderson Place, Hawick, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Princes Street, Hawick, on December 22.
“She went to her own home and received numerous text messages from him,” explained depute procurator fiscal Kate McGarvey, adding: “He then attended there and was verbally abusive and, in fear of her wellbeing, she contacted police. He then kicked a door.”
Ross Dow, defending, explained: “They had been arguing and he just wanted to speak to her.”
Potts was fined £200 and ordered to pay £100 compensation for the damage he caused.
MEN HAD TO ‘DODGE’ CAR
A teenage driver who sped around a Jedburgh car park, dodging between parked vehicles, was fined £100 and had his licence endorsed with four penalty points.
Eighteen-year-old Neil Wilson, of Mossburnford Farmhouse, Mossburnford, Jedburgh, pleaded guilty to driving a car without due care and attention at Canongate car park on May 17.
Prosecuting, Kate McGarvey said “a significant number of vehicles” were parked around 10.50pm, and six males were also there playing with a ball.
“They had to dodge the car as it drove at speed around the car park, manoeuvring in and out of parked vehicles. They didn’t seem to be in any danger, but he had no consideration for others,” added Ms McGarvey.
Defending, Ed Hulme said his client, a first offender, told police: “Sorry for driving like an idiot.”
The lawyer went on: “That is basically the bottom line. It was his friends who were in the car park and the police agreed they did not appear to be in danger. He has shown genuine remorse and has had the fright of his life, having to come to court.”
LET-DOWN FOR EX-LOVER
A JILTED man was left deflated after his ex-partner refused to take him back and was spotted by police letting down her car tyres.
Marcin Mroz, 39, had travelled from Edinburgh to Gordon in an attempt to rekindle the relationship. Although she let him stay the night, she made it clear it was over and on Saturday morning drove him 10 miles to Earlston and gave him £20 to get the bus back up to the capital.
However, Mroz refused and walked back to her home to plead with her to change her mind.
Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, said: “She told him he was not welcome and called the police.” When officers attended Mroz, of Clovenstone Road, Edinburgh, agreed to leave quietly at around 5.45pm.
Ms Bradley continued: “The police officers remained in the area and five minutes later, when they entered Station Road in Gordon, saw the accused crouched down beside a car letting the air out of the rear offside tyre. The front offside tyre was totally flat. He was arrested and taken to Hawick police station.”
Mroz appeared from custody and pleaded guilty to maliciously letting the air out of the tyres.
Defending, Ross Dow said: “He has done himself no favours trying to get the relationship back on track and has spent two nights in custody as a result.”
Mroz was fined £50.
CARER STOLE FROM ELDERLY
A CARER admitted stealing money from two elderly women she was looking after.
Catherine Baker, 42, took cash from a 91-year-old while employed as a carer at Selkirk’s Mungo Park Court between December 1 and June 19. She also stole from an 84-year-old client living in the same complex between May 1 and June 13.
Baker, of Chapel Street, Selkirk, had sentence deferred until August 26 for background reports to be prepared.
STALKING CHARGE
A GALASHIELS woman faces trial on an allegation of stalking.
Simone Ramage, of Lintburn Street, denies engaging in a course of conduct which caused a woman fear and alarm in that she repeatedly followed her, sat outside her home address, watched the house and repeatedly drove past, repeatedly maintained observation on her, repeatedly advised others of her movements and did shout and swear at her.
The 28-year-old will stand trial on November 19 with an intermediate hearing on October 21.
SENTENCE DEFERRED
A KELSO man who falsely claimed more than £2,500 in benefits had sentence deferred until August 23 for reports.
Brian Humphreys, 50, of The Linn, admitted obtaining £725.17 Jobseeker’s Allowance to which he was not entitled between October 2011 and January 2012, as well as obtaining £1,777.45 housing and council tax benefit to which he was not entitled between March 2010 and August 2012.
Trial date for publican
A HAWICK publican who denies being drunk on licensed premises will stand trial on November 21.
Frank McFarlane, 64, of North Bridge Street, Hawick, is alleged to have been drunk at Frankie’s Bar, Bourtree Place, in the town on August 26 last year.
An intermediate hearing was set for October 25.
POLICE ASSAULT ALLEGATION
A KELSO man appeared in private on an allegation of assaulting a man to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
Twenty-five-year-old John Grierson is also charged with assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty and two drugs possession offences.
Grierson made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination.
He was remanded in custody by Sheriff Jamie Gilmour until the next hearing on August 6.