Jailed for possession of blades
A Greenlaw man who was in possession of a number of bladed items has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.
Scott Cooper, 46, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened in Blackadder Crescent on the night of October 13.
Prosecutor Ruraidh Allison said the police were contacted shortly before 10pm with regards to a matter no longer before the court. He explained they managed to trace Cooper who was seen by an officer to throw sticks or knives into a garden and later four knives were recovered.
Cooper was arrested in Blackadder Crescent around 10.45pm and placed in the rear of a police van and taken to Borders General Hospital, but during the journey his behaviour became more erratic as he spat and urinated in the vehicle, as well as making threats to individuals at the hospital.
Cooper’s lawyer explained his client had consumed alcohol in a couple’s garden in Greenlaw earlier that evening, but as the night wore on a disagreement between the couple erupted with the man grabbing the woman by the throat.
The lawyer said that Cooper broke it up but then was attacked from behind and “suffered a ferocious beating with a weapon”.
Cooper suffered a bleed to the brain and numerous fractures to his nose and eye sockets.
The lawyer said Cooper’s memory after the assault was less than perfect and after coming into possession of the knives he was arrested.
He explained that Cooper was desperate to relieve himself but was not allowed to go to the toilet after being taken 10 miles to Kelso Police Station and then on to Borders General Hospital.
Sheriff Peter Paterson said the unpaid work was an alternative to custody.