Hawick rugby coach 'suspended by SRU' following 'bizarre' behaviour
Last updated 9th Apr 2024
A court's today heard a Hawick rugby coach has been suspended by the SRU after pulling down his trousers and exposing himself to a video doorbell - before pushing a cigarette through the letterbox.
Graham Colville had been making his way home from a night out in the Borders town on October the 29th last year, when he asked another male to record his "bizarre" behaviour on a mobile phone.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard the 37-year-old's victim - a 69-year-old man - was unknown to him at the time.
The pensioner had been asleep at the property in Dovemount Place, which was also occupied by his daughter.
Police were alerted when he later discovered the discarded cigarette and viewed the footage.
Colville, who gave an address in Hassendean Court, Hawick, admitted a charge of breach of the peace at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.
According to official court documents, Colville, who also works in removals, pulled down his lower clothing and handled his private part in the presence of two others, "knowing his conduct was likely to be filmed and video recorded by a doorbell video camera" at the front door of the house.
After being quizzed by police, he replied: "I'm sorry."
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Defence lawyer Liam Burke described his client's behaviour as "out of character", and claimed he had been "egged on" by the two people he was with.
But he pointed out Colville has since been prescribed medication to help him get to sleep due to "his guilt and remorse", and now no longer drinks alcohol.
Sheriff Kevin McCarron noted the work Colville does to encourage children into sport and said he was hesitant to make a decision on the appropriate sentence, which could have a "destructive" impact on his career.
He said the case had "caused a lot of distress and upset" to a 69-year-old man "who had to witness this nonsense outside of his house".
But he added: "It's all a bit bizarre."
Sentence has been deferred until July the 1st, when the case is due to recall at Selkirk Sheriff Court.
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