A 23-year-old man has admitted stealing a bottle of spirits from a Galashiels superstore and then struggling violently with employees.

Brendan Meechan of Laidlaw Terrace, Hawick, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to the offence which happened on the night of July 20 at around 9.45pm.

The court was told that he had gone into the Asda superstore to buy and bottle of spirits but was refused service as he had no identification.

But minutes later he returned with a friend and went over to the alcohol counter and took a bottle of Gin.

He was challenged by staff as he left the premises and Meechan told them he was going to smash the bottle over their heads.

Meechan then picked up a plant pot at the store entrance and threw it at one of the employees.

During the incident the £15 bottle of Gin was smashed on the floor.

Meechan was fined a total of £225 and ordered to pay compensation of £75 to one of the Asda employees.