St Boswells man tried to touch health workers on their bottoms

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that Stuart Hunter attempted to touch the social worker and nurse on their bottoms during the visit to see his wife at the Weirgate Avenue property on February 22 last year.

The trial heard that the two women had gone to the house in the course of their employment when they were subjected to Hunter’s comments and also attempts to touch them.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client suffered from a mental disorder which went hand-in-hand with social inadequacy.

As a result, his behaviour could be regarded as unacceptable, but not criminal.

However, Sheriff Peter Paterson found Hunter guilty of a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour.

And while he said there was a sexual element to the offence, he said it did not warrant Hunter’s name being placed on the Sex Offenders register.

Sheriff Paterson deferred sentence for six months for good behaviour.