A NEWTOWN St Boswells man has made a private court appearance in connection with a robbery during which shop workers were assaulted with an "electrical implement".

James Irvine faces three counts of assault and robbery involving different women and also possession of a prohibited weapon following the raid on a shop in Kelso, 

The 53-year-old of Eildon Terrace made no plea and the case was continued for further examination at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

He was remanded in custody by Sheriff Peter Paterson and is expected to appear next at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday, October 15.

A 36-year-old man - who is currently in hospital - has been arrested and charged in connection with the same incident and will appear in court at a later date.

Police Scotland say enquiries are ongoing to trace a third man said to have been involved.

Shop worker Jacqui Young, 31, who is pregnant, and 34-year-old manager Alex McMurray were treated by paramedics following the raid at the Original Factory Shop in Bowmont Street on Monday at around 9am.

One of them was taken to Borders General Hospital for a precautionary check-up before being released.

Police would only say they had been assaulted by an "electrical implement"

A rust-coloured Toyota Celica allegedly used in the raid was found in the car park of Sainsbury's on the A698 in Kelso following the robbery.

Chief Inspector Andy McLean of Police Scotland said:"Extensive enquiries were conducted by officers in an effort to trace the suspects as quickly as possible following what was a shocking and distressing incident for those involved.

"Thankfully incidents like this are rare in the Borders and I want to thank the public for their continued support during our investigation."