A BORDERS man has been ordered to pay a total of £1,440 after admitting an assault charge.

Craig Stevens, 33, of Bongate, Jedburgh, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened in Jedburgh town centre on the morning of November 11.

Miriam Clark, prosecuting, said the victim was working in the Town Hall administering flu vaccinations when Stevens was spotted walking past the building at around 8.30am in an intoxicated condition.

The man was wearing an NHS uniform and was holding confidential papers in his hand while standing at the door.

Ms Clark said Stevens staggered up a ramp and swung a punch in the man's direction.

The man swerved to avoid a connection but the paperwork fell to the ground.

Another man tried to reason with Stevens and calm him down.

Eventually the police were called.

Defence lawyer Colin Severin said Stevens had little recollection of the incident as he was intoxicated and said his client was more of a nuisance rather than a threat.

He said Stevens knew both men personally and had spoken to them since and there were no issues with them. Mr Severin said Stevens had apologised and the men hold no grudge.

Mr Severin said at the time of the incident Stevens was not working but is now employed as a bricklayer earning £1,000 a week.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he would have fined Stevens £1,500 but reduced it to £1,000 due to the guilty plea. Sheriff Paterson also ordered Stevens to pay sums of compensation of £250 and £150 to both men as well as a victim surcharge of £40.

The fines are to be paid at a rate of £100 a week.