Drunken 35-year-old repeatedly punched female police officer in face in Galashiels, court told

James Green, 35, also pleaded guilty to struggling violently with police officers during an incident in Wood Street in Galashiels on December 18 last year.

Not guilty pleas to four other charges were accepted by the Crown.

Fiona Hamilton, prosecuting, told Selkirk Sheriff Court that Green was stopped by the police officers after they noticed how unsteady on his feet he was.

She continued: “Initially he tried to walk away, but then he started shouting and swearing and expressing his dislike for the police.

“He started to assault the female constable by punching her three times to the face.

“Her male colleague attempted to restrain the accused.”

The fiscal said that the female officer fell to the ground and, as the struggle continued, the male officer pressed an emergency button to request support.

He also deployed a CS spray, hitting the accused in the eyes.

Green was then restrained and handcuffed.

Ms Hamilton said the female police officer sustained injuries including cuts, bruising, swelling and soft tissue damage to her hand and bruising to her cheek and forehead.

She added that Green made no reply to being cautioned and charged and was taken to the Borders General Hospital at Melrose to be checked over because of his intoxicated condition.

Sentence has been deferred on Green, of Winston Road in Galashiels, until February 24 for the production of a medical report.