A GALASHIELS teenager has admitted knocking a man unconscious with a single punch to his severe injury.

The 17-year-old - who cannot be named due to his age - pleaded guilty to assaulting the man by punching him on the head whereby he fell to the ground and was rendered unconscious.

The attack happened in High Street, Earlston, on the night of September 10.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told the victim and his friends had left a public house in Earlston to find a taxi to take him to Galashiels when he was confronted by the teenager and a group of youngsters and there was an exchange of unpleasant remarks referring to the man's ginger colouring hair.

Depute fiscal Tessa Bradley said witnesses saw the teenager lash out with a punch which caused the man to fall back and strike his head on the kerb rendering him unconcious.

The teenager ran off but was pursued by the victim's friends leading to another confrontation during which the 17-year-old was "battered."

The court heard the man had a three centiemetre cut at the back of his head which required six staples.

He had to be re-admitted to hospital four days after the attack as he was complaining of suffering from headaches and it was found he had bruising to the brain.

Ms Bradley added:"He had to take four weeks off work so there had been a significant impact on him."

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client also had to be treated in hospital for injuries after being badly assaulted in the second incident.

He said his client had consumed a significant amount of alcohol with friends.

The lawyer added that the teenager lived alone in Galashiels and was not in employment but was hoping to enrol in a music production course.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence for the production of a Criminal Justice Social Work Report and a Restriction of Liberty Order assessment.

The case will recall at Selkirk Sheriff Court on July 17.