AN INNERLEITHEN man has appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court accused of stalking his former partner over the Christmas period.

Thirty-seven-year-old Paul Thompson of Buccleuch Street is charged with engaging in a course of conduct likely to cause fear and alarm to Melanie Crow by repeatedly sending her text messages.

The offence is said to have happened between December 13 and yesterday.

Thompson pleaded not guilty to the charge and a trial date was set for February 16 with an intermediate hearing on January 16.

He was released on bail with special conditions not to contact his former partner or enter a named street in Innerleithen.