A man who assaulted his cousin claimed he was “trying to show him the lifestyle he was choosing”.
Beau Reid repeatedly punched the 18-year-old on the head and struck him with his knee, to his injury. He admitted assaulting the teenager at Huddersfield Street, Galashiels, on August 29.
Prosecutor Graham Fraser said the victim and a friend had been walking when they became aware of the accused in his car. Reid stopped the vehicle, got out and confronted his cousin.
Reid, 21, of High Buckholmside, Galashiels, told police: “I am sorry. I punched him a few times and kneed him in the face, but he is my cousin and we will make up again.” He told the court there had been a background to the offence, adding: “I was trying to show him what lifestyle he was choosing”.
Reid was sentenced to a six-month community payback order with 75 hours of unpaid work.