A PATIENT who was abusive towards a nurse at Borders General Hospital has been ordered to be of good behaviour for the next six months.

Nikita James lost her temper and hurled swear words towards the nurse in the hospital after asking for money to pay for her bus journey home to Hawick.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the 30-year-old of Branxholme Road, had been in the hospital receiving treatment for an infection.

He explained: "She had been seen and was allowed to go home.

"She asked the nurse in charge to get some money for the bus and was advised to attend the administration office on the first floor.

"It was just before 5pm but when the accused got there the office was closed as the staff had gone home early because of the snowy weather.

"The accused then went back and started to shout and swear at the nurse saying, 'why the f*** did you send me up when you knew it was closed'.

"She continued swearing and was asking how did she expect her to get home and should she just walk home in the snow.

"It is not the first time she has caused trouble about getting a lift home after receiving treatment at the hospital."

Mr Fraser said: "She then said you are a f****** arrogant c***" at the nurse."

Police officers arrived on the scene and went to speak to James who said she did not care if she was charged.

Mr Fraser said James was given a lift home by the police who told her she would be reported for summons due to her conduct.

He added: "Behaviour of that sort in front of other patients is unacceptable."

Defence lawyer Sophie Russell said: "She knows workers at the hospital should not be subjected to this kind of treatment.

"She was trying to get a crisis grant to get home and was faced with the realisation she had no money to get home and completely distressed with the prospect of having to walk home in the snowy conditions she came out with this outburst.

"It is typical of someone with her borderline personality disorder."

Sheriff Euan Edmont said: "You cannot go about swearing at people in public."

Sentence was deferred until August 13 for good behaviour.