A driver lost control of his car and crashed into a fuel tanker on the A698 near Knowesouth.
Glen Miller 26, of Wilson Drive, Hawick, admitted driving dangerously on the Hawick-Kelso road on November 8, 2012, when both front tyres were so worn they failed to grip the road surface.
The tanker left the road and its tanks ruptured, while Miller’s vehicle was written off.
Explained defence solicitor Rory Bannerman at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday: “He had taken the car to a local garage to have it checked and was told that the tyres needed replacing, but it was never suggested that he took it off the road.
“He had been driving it every day from Hawick to Berwickshire for his work. He had booked the car in to get the tyres changed and it was during the intervening period that the accident happened.
“The condition of the tyres played a significant part in this, and he lost control of the car on a corner.”
Miller was sentenced to a 12-month community payback order with 180 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to resit an extended test.
CANNABIS CHARGE
A 20-year-old man appeared in private accused of cultivating cannabis in Hawick.
Michal Rakowski, of Wilson Drive, Hawick, is charged with producing the class-B drug at a house in the town, and culpably and recklessly damaging electrical fittings.
He made no plea or declaration and was bailed.
DRINK-DRIVER MISSED TURNING
A drink-driver who was almost four times the alcohol limit plans to quit motoring.
George Turnbull told the court he wouldn’t be re-applying for his driving licence and intended to sell his vehicle.
The first offender, of Oliver Park, Hawick, had drunk six Jack Daniels’ when he missed the turning to his home and ended up at Denholm.
Turnbull, 65, admitted driving a car on the A698 between Denholm and Hawick, and in Weensland Road and Oliver Park, Hawick, on January 22 with a breath/alcohol reading of 136 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.
He was fined £600 and banned from driving for two years.
A PRICEY PUNCH
A teenager who got involved in someone else’s argument was fined £300 after punching a man.
Liam Sharkey, 17, of McLagan Drive, Hawick, pleaded guilty to assaulting another 17-year-old at Wilton Path, Hawick, on June 16.
Prosecutor Graham Fraser told how the offence happened in the early hours of the morning following a group confrontation.
“The accused appeared on the scene and decided to punch the complainer on the face. It was completely pointless,” he added.
Sharkey’s lawyer, Rory Bannerman, described the offence as “a stupid act, fuelled by drink”, adding: “He became embroiled in someone else’s argument.”
BRANDISHED SNOOKER CUE
A drunken man brandished a snooker cue and case at police officers, threatening to hit them with it.
Police had been called to a house in Hawick’s Havelock Street when Graeme Cook began searching for a key to lock the door.
Graham Fraser, prosecuting, said: “He looked over the back of a sofa and police saw he had a case with a snooker cue, which he raised above his head.” Cook told police: “I’m going to hit you b*****ds with it.” Officers put him to the ground and subdued him.
“The police were in no doubt that he would have carried out his threat,” added Mr Fraser.
Defence solicitor Kenneth Woodburn said his client had been playing pool and his keys were at the bottom of the case.
Cook, 39, of Allars Bank, Hawick, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on November 21, 2012, and was fined £200.
SENTENCE DEFERRED
A Hawick teenager who made repeated calls to the emergency services has had sentence deferred until April 4 for reports.
Andrew Birney, 19, of Sunnyhill Road, pleaded guilty to persistently making calls to the emergency services at his home on October 19.
BIT PARTNER DURING STRUGGLE
A drunken Hawick man bit his partner during a struggle.
Allan Hutchinson, 50, of Fairhurst Drive, admitted assaulting her to her injury at a house in Dickson Street, Hawick, on December 30.
Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the couple were in a relationship at the time and described both as “alcohol dependent”.
Mr Fraser said the woman felt the relationship was “moving too fast” and there was an argument between them.
“He poured himself a halfpint of vodka and drank it in one go before resorting to violence towards her. There was a struggle and he bit her, leaving her with injuries,” he added.
The victim suffered tenderness to her body, a scratch to her forehead and cheek and a tender jaw.
Defence solicitor Rory Bannerman said both parties had “alcohol issues”, adding: “They have been dating for a few months and want to stay in the relationship.”
Sentence was deferred until March 21 for reports.
FORMER JOCKEY DENIES ASSAULT
Former National Hunt jockey Paul Robson will stand trial on March 20 after he denied assaulting a woman in the town.
Robson, 30, who lives at Burnflat Brae in Hawick, pleaded not guilty to seizing a woman by the wrists, forcibly removing a ring from her finger, throwing her onto the floor, seizing her by the body and throwing her across a room on March 9/10 last year at a house at Weensland Road in the town.
FAILED TO SHOW UP AT COURT
Failing to appear at court cost Stephen Wallace a £50 fine.
Wallace, 35, of Galabank Street, Galashiels, admitted failing to appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court on February 10.
GIRL, 14, WAS HOSPITALISED
A teenager bought vodka for a 14-year-old girl who drank it, lost consciousness and ended up in hospital.
Eighteen-year-old David Rae, 18, of High Street, Galashiels, admitted culpably and recklessly buying alcohol for the girl, to the danger of her health and life, at Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, on December 6. He also pleaded guilty to buying alcohol for a 15-year-old at Tesco in Galashiels on the same date.
Sentence was deferred until March 31 for reports and Rae bailed.
FINED FOR MEAT THEFT
A woman who stole meat from a shop in Lauder was fined £80 and ordered to pay £70 compensation.
Emma Lowe, 41, of Gala Park, Galashiels, admitted stealing meat from the Co-operative store on February 4 last year. She was admonished on a further charge after pleading guilty to shouting, swearing and brandishing a knife at her home on January 19 last year.
STOLE CASH FROM NEIGHBOUR, 87
A Melrose man who stole money from an elderly neighbour had sentence deferred until March 31 for reports and to appear personally.
John Harpur, 54, of St Dunstans Park, admitted stealing £460 by using a bank card at a Royal Bank of Scotland ATM in Melrose between February 23 and March 2 last year.
Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the self-employed plasterer had used the card while his 87-year-old neighbour was in hospital following a fall.
“He had a drug problem and succumbed to temptation,” added Mr Fraser, who confirmed the money had been repaid.
RUDE AWAKENING FOR PARTNER
WHEN Jamie Wilkinson woke to discover his partner was leaving him, he followed her out of the house, “ranting and raving”, and punched a car window before she was driven off.
Wilkinson, 35, of Thistle Street, Galashiels, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on January 25.
At a previous hearing, prosecutor Tessa Bradley said there had been difficulties in the relationship and the woman had gone to stay with a relative. She returned to collect belongings and found Wilkinson asleep on a couch. The woman tried not to disturb him as she packed her things, and was about to take the final box to the car when he woke.
Ms Bradley explained: “She told him the relationship was over and she had left a letter for him, but he followed her out, ranting and raving. She hurriedly got into the car and he punched the window.”
Ross Dow, defending, said: “He wakes up to find her packing her stuff and leaving home, and his pleas for her not to leave him fell on deaf ears.”
Sentence was deferred until March 31 for a report to be prepared.