A 37-year-old man who assaulted a woman at a house in Peebles and was later found to be in possession of a knife has been ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Michael Snodgrass was also placed on supervision for 12 months after admitting assaulting the woman who had become aggressive after being woken up.

He initially tried to assist her but then starting kicking her and dragging her along the floor of the property in Kingsland Square and then down some outside steps.

When searched by police officers on January 26, Snodgrass was found with a five-inch blade knife in his jacket pocket.

Defence lawyer Robert More explained his client had broken previous associations and ties by moving away from Peebles and now living in Dumfries.

Sheriff David Clapham imposed a Community Pay Back Order as an alternative to custody.