A 40-year-old man who admitted causing a disturbance at Borders General Hospital's casualty department just before Christmas has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Stephen Palmer, formerly of Hawick and now living in Galashiels, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and also causing vandalism at the hospital on the night of Saturday, December 22.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting, said that police were contacted by NHS 24 at around 9.30pm as they were concerned about a call they had received from Palmer who had threatened to harm himself and was a danger to the public.

The police paid a "welfare check" to a house in Hawick and he was taken to Borders General Hospital to be checked over.

But while at the hospital he got off his chair and started to scream before headbutting a wall causing £100 worth of damage.

Mr Fraser explained how staff left the room at this point and had to press the panic alarm.

He explained: "When police arrived he was outside smoking a cigarette. He said he had lost his head and was taken into custody."

The court was told he had been remanded in custody since Christmas Eve.

In addition to the unpaid work, Palmer of Hazeldean, Galashiels, was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Borders General Hospital.