THE end of a Galashiels couple’s 11 year relationship was marked with a bust-up at a house in Woodstock Avenue and fines totalling £270.

Scott Porteous, 30, and 37-year-old Nadine Robertson got involved in a dispute on the evening of July 26 as she tried to collect washing from his home.

At Selkirk Sheriff Court this week, Procurator Fiscal Graham Fraser said: “He pushed her out of the house. They had been in a relationship for 11 years but it was very volatile and drink-related incidents frequently took place.

“The neighbours heard the couple arguing and Nadine Robertson was shouting at him from the street. Porteous was waving his arms about and had to be restrained on the sofa by police who had been called. But he would not calm down and continued to be abusive. He swore at one police Sergeant and challenged a female police officer to fight.

“Robertson was also very animated and was shouting and swearing and would not calm down.” Representing Porteous, defence lawyer Mat Patrick said: “The relationship was in the final stages. Drink was always present in the relationship. He wanted her removed from the property and he was shouting at her to get out of the property.

“When the police arrived he felt they were there to assist him. He was angry that he was made out to be the agitator.” Porteous pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, shouting and swearing, acting in an aggressive manner and struggling with police officers and challenging them to fight in Woodstock Avenue and at Hawick Police Station and was fined £200.

Robertson, of Hawthorn Road, Galashiels, was fined £70 for her part in the disturbance.