Oxton 25-year-old ordered to pay £500 compensation to constable he assaulted

The Borders General Hospital at Melrose.

Sam Stewart, 25, of Oxton, pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and obstructing police following that bust-up in the Melrose hospital’s accident-and-emergency unit on October 22 last year.

Fiona Hamilton, prosecuting, explained that Stewart had initially told officers he was feeling unwell due to post-traumatic stress disorder and, due to concern about his behaviour, he was taken to hospital.

She continued: “He became unruly and uncontrollable and started threatening officers with violence in the accident-and-emergency department.

“He stated on several occasions to one officer he would swipe his legs and to another he would tear him open.

“The accused called officers Russian and stated that they could not make him stay there and tried to leave while waiting for an assessment.

“The department was busy at the time but, due to his behaviour, he had to be taken down by police officers.

“They managed to get handcuffs on him and as he was on the ground, he was administered diazepam to subdue his aggressive behaviour.

“During the struggle, one constable sustained a dislocated shoulder as a result of trying to restrain the accused.”

Stewart was eventually taken to the nearby Huntlyburn Ward mental health unit voluntarily for assessment and treatment.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client had responded well to that treatment, pointing out that there had been no repeat of October’s disturbance.

Mr Dow said Stewart had served in the navy for a couple of years and had been diagnosed with post-traumatic tress disorder, adding: “He has not been drinking since.”

Stewart is now back working as an engineer, earning £23,000 a year, but was said to have significant debts.

Sheriff Donald Corke said: “It is a rather unfortunate incident, but I take into account the age of the case, and although there was an injury, he has not been charged with assault.”

Stewart was admonished but told to pay the constable he injured £500 compensation.