Disturbance at Kelso hotel leads to £210 court bill

Jack Baxter damaged a picture frame costing £30 at the Ednam House Hotel on November 21 while out in company.

Depute fiscal Fiona Hamilton told Jedburgh Sheriff Court that staff working in the Bridge Street hotel’s bar around 9pm were getting a “bad vibe” from Baxter and his companions, and they were asked to quieten down.

She continued: “At about 11pm, the accused left the bar and was in one of the corridors when the sound of glass breaking was heard.

“The accused was found to be striking furniture and had smashed a picture frame.

“He was described as temperamental and had a cut on his hand. Staff administered first aid to him.

“The value of the damage was £30.”

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client suffers mental health difficulties, adding that there had been comments made about his sister that he had not taken kindly to, prompting, in combination with drinking alcohol, his misconduct.

Baxter, of Gourlay’s Wynd in Duns, was fined £170 and ordered to pay £30 compensation, as well as a £10 victim surcharge.

At a previous hearing, his sister Molly Baxter, 24, of Brisbane Place in Kelso, was fined £225 for biting a police officer and her partner Thomas Dickson, 37, of Inchmyre in Kelso, was ordered to pay £325 for threatening or abusive behaviour towards bar staff and police during the same incident.