A teenage thief spent the morning of his mother’s funeral in court.
Eighteen-year-old Kieran Davies appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday before leaving to attend the funeral in Edinburgh.
Davies, of Leishman Place, Hawick, was fined £100 after he admitted stealing toiletries and drinks from Asda’s Galashiels store on December 11, while on bail.
Ed Hulme, defending, said his client had been “led astray by an acquaintance” when he committed the offence.
BANNED FOR 15 MONTHS
Driving a car when more than twice the alcohol limit cost first offender Lewis Mitchell a £400 fine and a 15-month ban.
Mitchell, 20, of Sandbed, Hawick, admitted driving at Weensland Road in the town on February 23 with an alcohol reading of 74 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.
Claire Bottomley, prosecuting, told how the accused was stopped by police shortly after midnight.
Ed Hulme, defending, said his client had spent four years in the army, including service in Afghanistan.
“He had been drinking with friends in Denholm on a Saturday afternoon and had no alcohol for some six hours after, so thought he would be fit to drive home to Hawick,” explained Mr Hulme.
TOOLS THIEF
A woman who stole power tools and construction equipment was sentenced to a 12-month community payback order with 100 hours of unpaid work.
Azara Cope, 20, of Dryden Close, Tipton, West Midlands, admitted the theft from Hawick’s Lothian Street on August 24 last year.
FIRST OFFENDER ADMONISHED
After falling into a drunken sleep, Barry Gibson woke to find police in his house trying to remove his TV.
Officers had called at the St Mary’s Place property in Hawick during the early hours of the morning after noise complaints.
The first offender pleaded guilty to standing in the way of police officers trying to seize the television set, and trying to grab paperwork and tear it up on July 2. He also admitted giving police a false name and date of birth with intent to pervert the course of justice.
At a previous hearing, procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how police turned up at 4.30am.
He added: “He was sound asleep and seemed rather surprised to see them, although his alcohol consumption did not help his understanding. He tried to seize hold of paperwork and stood in their way to avoid then taking the TV.”
Gibson’s lawyer, Mat Patrick, said the recent loss of his job had a “massive impact” on the accused.
Mr Patrick went on: “He was extremely stressed and resorted to drinking too much, and this incident stemmed from that.
“He was asleep and woke up surrounded by police trying to take his TV away. He then gave them slightly incorrect details.”
Hearing Gibson, 48, had been of good behaviour during six months of deferred sentence, Sheriff Peter Paterson admonished him.
HEROIN CHARGE IS DENIED
A woman who denies being concerned in the supply of heroin had a further first hearing set for April 4.
Janine Mullins, 35, formerly of Eyemouth and currently staying at Keppoch Hill Road, Glasgow, appeared on indictment and pleaded not guilty to the offence which is alleged to have been committed at a flat in Chapel Quay, Chapel Street, Eyemouth, on May 1 last year.
ASSAULT ALLEGATION
A 59-year-old who denies assaulting another man to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement had a further first hearing set for April 4.
Alexander McLeod of Hillend Drive, Hawick, appeared on indictment and pleaded not guilty to repeatedly striking the man with a metal bar at a house at Hillend Drive on June 14 last year.
BOOZED-UP BITER
A drunken man who bit his partner during a struggle had sentence deferred until May 2 for reports.
Allan Hutchinson, 50, of Fairhurst Drive, Hawick, admitted assault to injury at a house in the town’s Dickson Street on December 30.
At an earlier hearing, procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the couple had been 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 half-pint 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 sustained 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.”
PRIVATE APPEARANCE
A Galashiels accused appeared in private, charged on petition with assaulting a man to his severe injury, and another man to his injury at the Ship Inn, Melrose, on December 27.
Twenty-nine-year-old James Green made no plea or declaration and was released on bail.
REMANDED IN CUSTODY
A 37-year-old man was remanded in custody after he appeared in private charged on petition with breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
Euan Peddie, from Kelso, is alleged to have committed the offence on a number of occasions at a house in Hawick.
He made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination of the evidence.
HAWICK MAN BAILED
A Hawick man appeared in private, charged on petition with threatening or abusive behaviour and theft at a house in Jedburgh on March 22.
David Adamson, 25, made no plea or declaration and was bailed.