Lockdown gambling addiction lands Borders mill worker in court
And a round-up of some of the other cases calling...
Last updated 17th Feb 2025
A court's heard a 37-year-old man embezzled more than £12,000 from a Borders mill after developing a severe gambling addiction during lockdown.
David Slaven - who gave an address in Glasgow - previously pled guilty to stealing the cash while employed by Gloverall Ltd at the home of tartan manufacturer Lochcarron of Scotland in Selkirk.
The town's Sheriff Court today (Monday) heard he had been struggling with a number of personal difficulties in his life when he committed the offence - using his employer's money to help fund his habit.
Slaven, who is still in full-time employment, swiped £12,338.38 between March 1st and October 31st, 2020.
Sentence has been deferred for a year to give him a chance to repay the cash. The case will recall on February 2nd, 2026.
Home curfew
A court's heard a 32-year-old man from Kelso attacked another man in his own home with his X-Box controller after he allegedly sent him an abusive text message in connection with a High Court case in which he was acquitted of all charges.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard Darryl Wyper punched his victim to the face and body "about 20 times" during the assault until he ended up on the floor, when he began kicking him in the face.
He then repeatedly struck him on the head with the computer games controller.
The court heard the attack ended when a neighbour, who heard shouting and banging at the property in Brisbane Place, went to investigate.
Wyper's victim suffered a number of cuts and lumps on his head, and bruising to his body.
His solicitor, Liam Alexander, said his client has significant mental health difficulties.
Sheriff Peter Paterson slapped Wyper with a seven-month restriction of liberty order, which means he must stay within his home address between the hours of 7pm and 7am.
'Toxic relationship'
A court's heard a man told his former partner: "I wouldn't hesitate to put this through your ****ing head", while in possession of a baseball bat.
Stuart Leech broke the woman's mobile phone and smashed a window during the disturbance, which unfolded at an address in Selkirk's Gaitschaw Lane on October 26th last year.
The 35-year-old, of Trinity Street, Hawick, had been struggling with substance misuse and mental health difficulties at the time, according to his solicitor.
Ed Hulme said "an argument had flared up very quickly over nothing", adding, this incident marked the very end of a "toxic relationship".
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard the couple had been together "on and off" for nine years.
Leech pled guilty to charges of threatening or abusive behaviour and wilfully or recklessly destroying or damaging property belonging to another.
Sheriff Peter Paterson sentenced him to 135 hours of unpaid work, as part of a Community Payback Order, and ordered him to pay his victim £100 compensation.
Leech has also been banned from contacting her for two years.
Last orders
A 26-year-old man who threw a wooden menu board at a man who allegedly threatened to glass him at a pub in Newtown St Boswells has been ordered to carry out 110 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard Murray Corcoran's victim - who retaliated by throwing his pint glass at him - was left with a number of injuries to his face which required hospital treatment following the incident at the Dryburgh Arms Hotel on September 29th, 2023.
Corcoran, of Whitefield Crescent, Newtown St Boswells, pled guilty to a charge of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment.
His solicitor, Liam Alexander, said the complainer had been picking on his friend before threatening him, but pointed out he never intended to inflict the extent of injury he had.
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