A LANDLORD who was involved in a struggle with a tenant over unpaid rent has been ordered to be of good behaviour for the next nine months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Steven Melville, 53, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing and struggling with William Harley during the incident in McLaren Court, Hawick, on February 2 last year.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said at the time of the offence Mr Harley was a housing tenant of the accused.

On the day in question Mr Harley was taking his car out of the garage when Melville appeared asking where his rent money was.

A struggle developed between the pair and the matter was reported to the police.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client was owed £700 by the tenant "who had repeatedly thumbed his nose at him".

He said: "Even when he (Melville) stumbled across him he dismissed him even though he said please to begin with. When the complainer replied he couldn't pay him a struggle developed." "The complainer put his hands on him and he pushed his hands away. It was a very minor struggle."

Mr Dow explained that his client was a mechanic with limited means and relied on the rent income.

But as a result he had written off £1,000 and claimed the flat was left in disrepair.

Sheriff Mungo Povey said: "I have listened to what has been said on your behalf and I am prepared to defer sentence for nine months for good behaviour."

He added that if Melville, formerly of Oliver Crescent, Hawick, and now living in the Peebles area, was of good behaviour then he would be admonished when the case recalls on February 3, 2020.