Court hears anti-social behaviour involving youths in one Borders town has become 'increasingly problematic'
Last updated 28th Apr 2025
Anti-social behaviour involving youths in one town in the Scottish Borders has become "increasingly problematic" in recent years.
That's according to the solicitor of a 75-year-old man whose client, a court heard, was assaulted by a 14-year-old boy last summer.
Gavin Nairn landed himself in the dock after spraying the teenager with an unknown substance, which left his clothes stained purple.
Selkirk Sheriff Court this week heard the pensioner had been enjoying a peaceful night at home with his wife in the Waverley Mills area of Innerleithen in August last year when three teenagers in the street grabbed his attention, and he stepped outside to "observe and deter".
His solicitor, Ed Hulme, explained that while two of the youngsters walked away, a third - who his client later recognised as the boy who assaulted him three months earlier - came closer and, it's claimed, adopted a boxing-style stance, which he "found concerning".
In the heat of the moment, the court heard Mr Nairn picked up a non-toxic gel he used in his garden and sprayed it on the youngster's face and arm.
Mr Hulme said his client had contacted police regarding anti-social behaviour on 24 occasions prior to this incident - which was only reported to police three weeks later - with no meaningful progress appearing to be made.
Mr Nairn was subsequently charged with assault and appeared in court on Monday.
Sheriff Peter Paterson noted the background and granted the pensioner an absolute discharge, which means no conviction is recorded and he is released without punishment.
The case comes just weeks after we reported a 72-year-old man holidaying in the Scottish Borders with his two grandchildren - aged seven and eight - was brutally assaulted in an unprovoked attack at a play park in Innerleithen last June.
One of the gang punched the pensioner to the left side of the face, causing him to fall to the ground.
A teenager - aged 16 at the time - was arrested following a police appeal for information and, in January, pled guilty to the attack.
He was slapped with a 12-month supervision order, as a direct alternative to custody, and ordered to pay his victim £750 compensation. But, because of his age, he can't be named.
READ MORE: Innerleithen man caught with extreme porn banned from accessing internet without prior approval
And, in April 2023, a trike-travelling eco-warrior pedalling across the UK to raise awareness of environmental issues revealed he was given a rough ride while making his way through the Borders town.
Martin Hutchinson and his rescue dog Starsky had sought shelter from the rain at the football stand in Innerleithen when they were targeted by youths.
"So far the kids have thrown at us a large traffic cone and two planks of wood," he posted on social media.
The year before, three teenagers were charged after part of the stand at the public park, where Martin was sheltering, was set on fire.
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