A 33-YEAR-OLD man who assaulted a shop worker and pulled off his face mask has been jailed for eight months at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Alex Russell pleaded guilty to assaulting the man during the course of his employment at McColl's in St Boswells on March 24 last year by pulling off his face mask and pushing him on the body while he was on bail at the time.

Depute fiscal Joanna Waller said the employee was stacking shelves when Russell came into the shop, purchased items and then left.

But he returned a couple of minutes later and after a brief conversation Russell grabbed his face mask pulling it off his face and pushing him.

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A not guilty plea to threatening or abusive behaviour was accepted by the Crown.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client was currently serving a 26-month prison sentence and is due to be released on November 14.

He urged Sheriff Peter Paterson not to affect Russell's release date.

Russell, who gave an address in Newtown St Boswells, was sentenced to eight months in prison which was reduced from 10 months due to the guilty plea.