45-year-old fined £250 for assaulting female police officer during disturbance in Hawick High Street

Robert Whyte, 45, pleaded guilty to pushing the officer to the body, causing her to fall against a car, on December 15.

He also admitted shouting and swearing and acting in an aggressive manner in a police vehicle.

Depute fiscal Louise Alexander told Jedburgh Sheriff Court: “Police officers attended at the locus after reports of a disturbance.

“The accused pushed a constable against a car before being pulled away by another person.

“More officers attended to deal with him.

“He was arrested and appeared to have a head injury but refused to have treatment.”

His lawyer told the court that Whyte had been out with his brother for pre-Christmas drinks and they were allegedly being beaten up by a group of up to eight people at the time the police arrived.

He said his client was confused at the time and had acted accordingly.

Whyte had refused medical treatment at the time due to his apparent confusion but accepted he needed it eventually as he later had staples inserted into a head wound.

Whyte, of Ivanhoe Terrace in Hawick, was fined £150 for police assault and £100 for acting in a threatening or abusive manner, as well as being ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.