Borders man avoids jail for sexually assaulting police officer in Kelso
A Coldstream man who sexually assaulted a female police officer after being apprehended for being in possession of an imitation grenade has avoided a custodial sentence at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.
Thirty-nine-year-old Jack Smith pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Horsemarket, Kelso, on August 31 last year, by causing fear or alarm while in possession of an imitation grenade and struggling violently with two police officers.
He then touched the female constable on the buttocks and leg before kicking her on the body.
Smith told police: “It was supposed to look real so that I can pretend to people I have a real grenade.”
Smith, of Market Square, pleaded guilty on indictment to charges of threatening or abusive behaviour and sexual assault.
Sheriff Robert Fife said the custody threshold had been reached.
However, as an alternative, Smith was given a Community Pay Back Order involving carrying out 300 hours of unpaid work over 12 months.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years.