A ST BOSWELLS woman spent the weekend in the cells after her niece taunted her that she was having an affair with her girlfriend.

Wilhelmina Hay, 34, snapped when 18-year-old Vickie Hay said that she was seeing her Aunt’s partner.

The auntie confronted the 22-year-old and lashed out at her slapping her in the face.

As the argument raged in a closed bedroom, the niece telephoned the police and Wilhelmina, also known as Betty, was arrested.

Following last Friday afternoon’s bust-up at the house in Springfield Terrace, St Boswells, the aunt appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said the incident happened at the accused’s home address where up until the events unfolded she lived with her sister, her partner and also her niece.

She said: “What appears to have happened is that the aunt appears to have had some issue with what the niece has said. Vickie told her aunt that she had been having an affair.

“The aunt confronted (her partner) who said she still loved her. But that made the accused lash out and slapped her in the face.

“The accused and Ms Roberts went into a bedroom, closed the door and started arguing. At that point Vickie Hay dialled 999.

“The accused was entirely co-operative with the police officers and gave a full account of what happened.” Defence lawyer Iain Burke said they were dealing with a very difficult intimate family situation. He said: “She was devastated to discover her partner was having an affair with her niece.

“She actually discovered a fortnight ago but was assured it was finished and believed things were back on track.

“But she was getting it thrown in her face by her niece who is 18. In a fit of temper she has lashed out and struck her in the face.” Mr Burke said the aunt had been in a relationship with her partner for four years and hoped they will still be able to continue.

However, he said his client was going to live at an address in Galabank, Galashiels, to let matters cool down.

Mr Burke said: “There is a bit of sorting out to be done.” Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence for six months for good behaviour and the case will recall on April 13.