Booze ban for 50-year-old who was armed with drill and baton

James Markie was armed with a cordless drill and a wooden baton during the confrontation at his home in Murray Place on October 31.

During the incident he revved up the cordless drill and after smashing glass with the baton, police officers had to wear eye protection supplied by ambulance personnel as one officer got a piece of glass in his eye.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told Jedburgh Sheriff Court 50-year-old Markie had been in contact with ambulance staff on the night in question and it was also an anniversary of his wife passing.

Due to concerns about his conversation, the police were alerted but when they arrived at his home at around 6pm 'he got irate towards them and challenged them to fight'.

The court was told police were concerned about the items he was in possession of and Markie was swinging the baton and revving up the drill. During the incident shards of glass shattered entering the eye of one officer.

Markie pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at his home and in a police vehicle, culpably and recklessly breaking panes of glass whereby an officer got a piece of glass in his eye and attempting to strike a police officer with a wooden baton.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had no recollection of his actions.

He added: "Once he became aware of his actions after being told about them, he was extremely apologetic and ashamed."

Markie was described as having a number of health difficulties and is an alcoholic.

Mr Hulme said that on the evening in question his client had been drinking as it was the fifth anniversary of his wife's passing and he was at a low ebb.

But he added that since the incident Markie had abstained from drinking alcohol.

Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed a two year Community Pay Back Order with supervision along with 100 hours of unpaid work. An extra condition was imposed that Markie does not consume alcohol during the length of the Order.