A TEENAGER who smashed a Galashiels shop window causing £650 worth of damage has been ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Dario Durante, 18, of Albert Place, pleaded guilty to breaking the window of Peffer Paints  in Market Street, following a fracas late at night on August 4.

The court heard there was a verbal altercation involving a group of youths outside Tesco and the accused got involved.

A confrontation was broken up and as he left the scene Durante kicked the window and broke it.

When police officers caught up with him Durante replied: "It was not me."

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said:"He had witnessed a couple arguing with each other and felt the make was under the influence of alcohol and got involved.

"A scuffle broke out between the two males. In a fit of anger and frustration he kicked out at the window."

He added the accused hoped to join the Army but was unable to do so at the moment due to suffering from ADHD. 

Mr Hulme said he received £57 a week in Income Support.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he would have preferred to have imposed a compensation order in favour of the shop but due to his limited income decided to impose a Community Pay Back Order involving 80 hours unpaid work.