Man admits bottle attack in Galashiels
And a round-up of cases from today's Selkirk Sheriff Court...
Last updated 8th Feb 2024
A 22-year-old man has admitted attacking another man with a bottle in Galashiels town centre.
John McMillan punched his victim in the face, and struck him with the glass, to his injury.
It happened in the town's Overhaugh Street on May 18th last year.
McMillan, who lives at Gala Park Court, Galashiels, appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court, after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Sentence has been deferred for background reports until March 4th.
Stole wing mirror
A 25-year-old man has admitted stealing a wing mirror from a car in Galashiels.
A court's heard Angus Kennedy kicked a vehicle in the town's St Andrew's Street on May the 5th last year - causing the wing mirror to fall to the ground and smash.
He then picked it up, put it in a bag, and made off with it.
However, when police caught up with him at nearby Gala Water Retail Park, he began shouting and swearing at officers and "trying to fight with them".
Kennedy also admitted approaching, or attempting to approach a woman in Galashiels on May 30th last year - despite a court order, granted earlier that month, forbidding it.
The court heard he arrived at her address "intoxicated" and banged on her door. When she didn't answer after 15 minutes, he left and began repeatedly calling and texting her until she blocked his number.
Prosecutor India McLean said he then returned to the property and attempted to get in the front door and the woman called the police.
READ MORE: Man who robbed 75-year-old woman in Peebles appears in court
Sheriff Janys Scott warned Kennedy - who also pled guilty to a breach of his curfew - he was "close" to being jailed.
But she noted he had been granted a new tenancy in Peebles and had a chance for a fresh start, after a background report highlighted difficulties he'd had with drugs and alcohol.
She instead placed him on a high-tariff structured deferred sentence for the next six weeks - where he will be under the supervision of social workers.
The case will recall on March 18th.
Offensive weapon
A 45-year-old man caught with a knife in a public place after police were called to an incident near his home in Galashiels has been fined £450.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard Bruce Lumsden told officers: "I forgot to take it out last night - it's for wrapping vinyl."
His solicitor, Ross Dow, explained Lumsden - who he described as a devout Christian - had been involved in a fledgling business, wrapping vinyl on to cars to protect their paintwork.
He accepted forgetting he had the blade in his possession was not a good enough excuse.
However, a not guilty plea to a separate charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner was accepted by the Crown.
In addition to the fine, Lumsden, of Langlee Drive, Galashiels, was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.
Assault to injury
A 29-year-old man has admitted carrying out an assault at his neighbour's address in Galashiels.
Corey Turner butt a man on his head and punched him during the attack in Forest Crescent on January 13th this year.
Sentence has been deferred until next month for background reports.
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