A JEDBURGH woman who spat in the face of a security guard at Borders General Hospital during a drunken disturbance has been warned she faces a jail sentence.

Cassie Robotham of Blair Avenue, appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to an assault charge which happened at the hospital during the early hours of Sunday morning.

The 22-year-old was abusive and made threats towards the security officer who was trying to calm her down.

Robotham spat again at the male guard just as police officers were arriving at the accident and emergency department to arrest her.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said there was mounting concern about Robotham's conduct and the company she was keeping after receiving two police warnings in Lancashire recently about her behaviour.

Narrating the events from the casualty department at the weekend he explained she was taken there at ten past two in the morning after suffering a minor head injury due to her alcohol intoxication.

Mr Fraser said: "She was shouting and swearing on arrival and was put in a treatment room.

"The security guard remained on the scene because he thought she would become unruly again.

"This proved to be the case and she said to the guard 'f*** off, bolt, I'm going to break your nose off'.

"She was demanding medications and began to swear and kick a chair.

"She then spat in the face of the guard and some of it landed on the shoulder of a porter who had come to help and she was eventually put to the ground.

"The accused continued to be abusive saying 'I will remember your face' and telling him to f*** off.

"As she was leaving she spat again at the guard and this was seen by police officers coming in the door to deal with it.

"She was arrested and continued to be agitated.

"Her head injury was checked out and she was deemed fit to be released into police custody."

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said Robotham was aware the serious approach the courts take towards the location of this offence.

Sheriff Peter Paterson called for background reports to be prepared and released Robotham on bail.

He said he was following High Court rulings which stated when reports were required it was better if the accused was at liberty.

But he warned Robotham that custody was uppermost in his mind when the case recalls on July 9.

Her bail conditions order her to stay in her home between the hours of 7pm and 7am, have no contact with a named male and to report once a week to Jedburgh Police Station.