A Stow teenager who head-butted a police officer during a disturbance at Borders General Hospital has avoided a jail sentence.
Sean Keene had been arrested for fighting with another youth at a party in the Langlee area of Galashiels on July 1. He was taken by police to hospital for treatment to a bloody nose, but continued to shout and swear in the accident and emergency department.
Keene, 18, of Station Road, then headbutted an officer, causing a split lip.
He admitted threatening or abusive behaviour and police assault.
Tessa Bradley, prosecuting at Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, on Monday, said police officers were alerted about a disturbance at a flat in Talisman Avenue around 11pm when six males and two females appeared to be arguing.
She explained: “One woman was heard to say, ‘don’t hit me’, and the instigator was wearing a red top. Two males were fighting and when officers arrived they separated them and put them into different rooms at the house where the party had been. Both males had bloody noses and were both highly agitated.
Ms Bradley told the court: “Keene was wearing a red top which the earlier witness had seen. He refused to calm down and was still challenging the other man to fight. The other male was similarly abusive.
“The accused was eventually arrested and he was taken out to a waiting ambulance. But he would not let parademics check him out. The officers did a quick check on the police computer and it was found Keene had an ASBO (antisocial behaviour order) in force.
“He was taken in a caged vehicle to Borders General Hospital accident and emergency department where he violently struggled with two police officers.
“He was shouting and swearing and refused to calm down. He was still handcuffed, but threw his head forward and headbutted a constable, splitting his lip.
“Hospital security staff had to intervene to help the police and the accused was taken to the ground. Eventually the accused was seen by a doctor, but because of his ongoing aggression it could only be a visual check before he was given the all-clear to return to police custody.”
Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said Keene, who is about to start work as a gamekeeper, apologised for his actions, adding: “He was in a rage and unable to control himself.”
Sheriff Peter Paterson said had it not been for a strong recommendation in background reports for a supervision order, he would be sending the teenager to prison. Instead Keene was given a 16-month community payback order with supervision.