AFTER an argument with his father, an Innerleithen man barricaded himself in his room and ended up struggling violently with police officers.

Scott Ewart, who claimed to have a knife at his home in Millar Street, also assaulted a police officer by spitting at him on May 28.

Ewart remained disruptive at Borders General Hospital, striking his handcuffs against furniture.

“There had been confrontation between the accused and his father,” said procurator fiscal Graham Fraser, “and he barricaded himself in his bedroom.

“Police, in large quantities, attended at the scene,” he added, “and he spat in the face of a constable.”

Defence solicitor George More said his client had “become a complete recluse".

“He is taking steps to address his difficulties,” he added.

The 26-year-old was sentenced to a 15-month Community Payback order, with 100 hours of unpaid work to be completed with a year.