A KELSO accused who repeatedly contacted a witness – his mother – in a case against him was jailed for 201 days.
Darryl Wyper, 21, of Inchmyre, Kelso, pleaded guilty to sending grossly offensive messages to his mother at Eschiehaugh, Kelso, on July 6, knowing she was due to give evidence. He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at her home on May 15 and throwing a paving slab towards a window.
Prosecuting, Graham Fraser said there had been no damage to the property, but Wyper had been shouting and swearing outside.
In July, he contacted his mother, sending her a text message calling her a “f*****g dickhead” and saying “I hate you”.
Mr Fraser added: “There was no risk of him perverting the course of justice as he had actually already pled guilty.”
Sheriff Derrick McIntyre sentenced Wyper to two months’ imprisonment for the abusive behaviour and six months – to run concurrently – for sending the offensive messages. Wyper, who was on licence at the time, was ordered to serve 21 days of an unexpired sentence before completing the six-month jail term.
On a further charge, he had sentence deferred for four months, until March 21, after he admitted spitting at two police officers at Hawick police station on September 29 last year.
Drove while disqualified
A disqualified driver who drove to a garage to inflate a tyre was fined £500 and banned from driving for 12 months.
James Flockhart, 22, of Maxmill Park, Kelso, was fined £100 after admitting driving while disqualified at Sprouston Road and Station Road, Kelso, on November 7, and a further £400 for using the vehicle without insurance.
Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how Flockhart had been banned in September for having no insurance.
He said police noticed a vehicle being driven with its fog lights on.
“They were going to advise him they were not required when he immediately told police he wasn’t insured. He said he had just bought the car the day before and it was his intention to sell it on the internet to raise some extra money,” said Mr Fraser, adding: “He said he was on his way to inflate a tyre at a local garage.”
Defence solicitor Mat Patrick said his client had been returning from the garage, which was only a short distance away.
“He was completely open and honest with the police, alerting them to the fact he was disqualified and uninsured,” explained Mr Patrick.
Sheriff Derrrick McIntyre described the offence as “a stupid and deliberate act”.
Breached bail curfew
A four-month restriction-of-liberty order has been placed on a Jedburgh man who breached a bail curfew.
George Anderson, 44, of Bountrees, admitted breaching the curfew – to remain at his home between 7pm and 7am – at 9.35pm at Canongate, Jedburgh, on July 12.
Anderson left court to be fitted with an electronic tag and was ordered to remain in his home between 7pm and 4am for the next four months.
Alarmed ex-partner
Sending an abusive text message to his former partner cost Karl Bell a £200 fine.
Bell, 47, of Eildon View, Tweedmouth, pleaded guilty to sending the message to the woman on October 28.
Prosecutor Graham Fraser told Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday that the accused had been in a relationship with the woman for some three years before it ended in January 2011.
“She had been receiving a number of unwanted voicemail and text messages for some weeks. There was nothing abusive about them, but she went to the police to seek advice. Officers warned Bell, who undertook not to contact her again,” added Mr Fraser.
The accused had been out drinking when he sent his ex-partner a text during the early hours of the morning which read: “How many daddies has your son had now, s**t. Wonder what he thinks of you, sl****r”.
Mr Fraser said: “She was not only alarmed that he got in touch, but also by the context of what was in this.”
When police detained Bell, he told them he had been “pissed” and had no recollection of sending the text.
“Police referred to it as pure drunken stupidity,” added Mr Fraser.
Defence solicitor Greig McDonell said his client, a self-employed builder, had been in a relationship which ended acrimoniously in 2011, adding: “He sent this text while drunk. It was a silly abusive comment and he apologises for it.”
Fence was demolished
A MOTORIST – almost twice the alcohol limit – was fined £480 and banned from driving for 14 months.
Alexander Ross, 51, of Bowmont Street, Kelso, admitted driving a car on the B6461 Kelso-Ednam road on March 14 with a breath/alcohol reading of 69 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.
The court heard how Ross lost control of the vehicle, demolishing about 15 metres of fence. He claimed he had been blinded by the lights of an oncoming car.
Ross, previously employed as a driver, told the court: “I very deeply regret it.”
Struggled with police
A DRUNKEN man was arrested by police during the Braw Lads’ Gathering festivities and again at Kelso Civic Week after struggling with officers.
Gavin Noble, 20, of Glendinning Terrace, Galashiels, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and challenging police to fight at Green Street, Galashiels on June 29.
“This happened during the Gala Day week, near Tesco’s car park, which was very busy at the time,” prosecutor Tessa Bradley told an earlier hearing.
Officers saw Noble walking alone towards the superstore. “He had removed his T-shirt and was standing, shouting and swearing, and gesticulating,” explained Ms Bradley
He was asked to move on, but continued to shout and swear, until eventually walking off.
Ms Bradley went on:“He then turned and started swearing again, and when told he was going to be arrested, began struggling with police. He caused a considerable disturbance and alarm to people nearby.
“He was taken to the ground and handcuffed, and was too intoxicated to be interviewed.”
Noble also pleaded guilty to struggling violently with police at Kelso Square on July 20.
“Crowds of people were celebrating Kelso Civic Week and police noticed two males who appeared to be fighting at about 11pm. As they approached, Noble continued to try to fight and was pulled away,” said Ms Bradley.
He told the officers to “f**k off” and struggled violently with them as they tried to restrain him.
“Police assistance was requested and he was handcuffed,” added Ms Bradley.
Noble’s solicitor said his client accepted alcohol was the background to both offences and was “very remorseful”.
He said the first offender hoped to rejoin the army.
Noble was fined a total of £450 – £150 for the Galashiels offence and a further £300 for his behaviour in Kelso.
Sheriff Derrick McIntyre told the accused: “I trust you have learned your lesson.”