He says his family endured sleepless nights and have been driven to tears by the rantings of former Selkirk Community Councillor Nick Wirsten.

And now a sheriff has agreed that the emails are vile, untrue and offensive, and has ordered Mr Wirsten to stop – issuing authority for Mr Wirsten’s arrests if there is any more harassment.

Sheriff Jack Davidson granted the order during an open hearing at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday. It was not contested by Mr Wirsten – a former hotel and supermarket worker.

Cllr Paterson applied for the interdict against Mr Wirsten, of Leslie Place, Selkirk, to prevent him molesting him by abusing him either physically or verbally, or placing him in a state of fear or alarm.

Court papers lodged by Cllr Paterson’s lawyer maintained: “Since on or about March 22, 2008, the Defender (Wirsten) has been sending emails, and other written communication and electronic communication, to the Pursuer (Paterson). The Pursuer has not encouraged this communication and does not wish it. The Defender’s written communication to the Pursuer is of a vile, irresponsible, untrue and offensive nature. The Pursuer has reported the matter to the police who say it will take a long time to deal with the allegation.

“In the interim, despite the Pursuer requesting the Defender to desist, the Defender persists in sending a large number of emails and other communications to the Pursuer each week. The Pursuer is concerned and upset, as are his family, regarding the communications received from the Defender.”

After the hearing Mr Wirsten admitted to TheSouthern he had sent the emails but declined to say why. He said he would not be sending any more because he was not allowed to – but said that if the court order had not been made he might have continued to do so. And he said he probably agreed with the description of the emails given to the court. He said he may have had a disagreement with Councillor Paterson but would not elaborate.

Councillor Paterson told us: “I believe it was only because I am a councillor. I have met him only once and I believe my wife Susan has only come across him in a Hawick supermarket where he worked and my daughter does not know him.

“This has been very upsetting for my family. There have been floods of tears, anger, stress and sleepless nights. It has been a very difficult time. If I get one more offensive email from him, I simply have to contact the police and he will be arrested.”

A police spokesman said they were aware of the situation.