Man admits touching young boy inappropriately - and a round-up of other cases calling at Jedburgh Sheriff Court
Last updated 7th Nov 2023
A man has admitted using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards a young boy in the Scottish Borders.
Colin Finlay, from Duns, was just 19 or 20-years-old when he induced the child - then aged 11 or 12 - to climb into a sleeping bag with him and touched him inappropriately.
It happened on an occasion between January 1st and December 31st, 2003.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court today (Monday) heard Finlay's victim reported the incident to police in February 2021 - 18 years later - due to the impact it was having on his life.
Sentence was deferred on the now 40-year-old until December 18th for background reports, and he has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register meantime.
Knocked unconscious
An offshore fisherman who knocked a man unconscious at a pub in Eyemouth, and then stamped on his head after he fell to the ground, has been fined a total of £3,000 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.
Keil Spouse also assaulted a second man who attempted to restrain him, by repeatedly attempting to punch him on the body outside the Cutty Sark on November the 5th last year.
In addition to the fine, the 27-year-old was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £175.
Careless driving
A 56-year-old woman has admitted driving a car with both its airbags deployed and front bumper hanging off, while almost three times the legal alcohol limit.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard Kay Glover was travelling on the A68 north of the town on the night of May the 27th when her car mounted a grass verge, before reversing and attempting to continue on her journey home.
She was originally accused of dangerous driving but pled guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving.
Prosecutor India McLean said another motorist travelling behind estimated Glover, of Huntlyburn Terrace, Melrose, was moving at a speed of between two and three miles per hour.
She provided a breath test which recorded a reading of 60 microgrammes of alcohol - when the limit is 22mg.
Solicitor Ross Dow said his client had been drinking with friends in Newcastleton when there was a falling out and she left.
But he pointed out she has never been in trouble before and told him she has not had a drink since.
Glover was fined a total of £520 and disqualified from driving for 16 months.
Sheriff Peter Paterson says the ban will be reduced by 25 per cent if she successfully completes the drink drivers rehabilitation scheme.
Unacceptable behaviour
A 35-year-old man who threatened violence towards police officers and medical staff at Borders General Hospital has been jailed for 270 days.
Alex Russell, who's address was given as Tweedbank, also shouted and swore and behaved in an aggressive manner during the disturbance.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard he was taken to the BGH after acting in a threatening and abusive manner towards two 17-year-old boys in the town's Canongate on October the 9th, when he was found to be heavily under the influence of alcohol, staggering and slurring his words.
His solicitor, Ross Dow, explained medical staff were trying to insert a cannula and he didn't want that.
Passing sentence, Sheriff Peter Paterson said the court had made it clear on a number of occasions that this sort of behaviour at the BGH is not acceptable.
Rural crime
A 31-year-old man has been jailed for 300 days after his DNA was found on two quad bikes reported stolen from a farm in Kelso.
Keiron Heslop, from Darlington, pled guilty to a charge of reset following the theft of the all-terrain vehicles, and a trailer, on October 11th, 2020.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard he was already serving a 23-month sentence in England for a separate offence.
Jailed
A 32-year-old man from Hawick who spat at three police officers and attempted to bite one on the arm while being restrained at the town's police station has been jailed for 13 months.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard officers had been trying to put William Devlin in a police car to take him to hospital on July the 6th, after he had taken a mixture of alcohol and valium, when he “lost the plot”.
His solicitor, Liam Alexander, revealed he felt he'd been harshly treated.
The sentence was backdated to July the 7th when he was first remanded in connection with the case.
Sex Offenders Register
A 60-year-old man who admitted engaging in sexualised conversation with an undercover police officer, who was posing as a female online, and solicited indecent images on two separate occasions, has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a year.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard Keith Ward, from Galashiels, sent messages that were grossly offensive, or of an indecent or menacing character between August 30th and September 1st last year, and on February 13th this year.
His solicitor insisted he was not motivated by sexual gratification, and instead explained his client could tell the person he was speaking to was not who they said they were and decided to play along in an effort to get to the truth of the matter.
Ward was also given a 12-month supervision order and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
Warrant
A warrant was issued for a 26-year-old man caught with more than £7,000 worth of heroin at his home in Hawick.
Sentence had been deferred on Corey Gold after he admitted being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs following a police raid in the town's Galalaw Road on June 30th last year.
But he failed to appear when his case recalled at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.
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