A 38-year-old woman who caused a disturbance in the accident and emergency department at Borders General Hospital has been ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work.

Elizabeth McLean of Lothian Road, Jedburgh, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner during the early hours of August 7.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard how McLean had been in the casualty unit the previous evening after burning her hand at a barbeque and was treated before being discharged.

But she returned several hours later to say she had taken some medication and required treatment.

McLean was shouting and swearing and refusing to leave and staff had to leave treating other patients to try and calm her down.

She then told a security guard, 'I am going to sort you' which was regarded as a threat and the police were called.

McLean said she was under the influence of Zanox tablets at the time and had no recollection of the incident.

Sheriff David Clapham said the location made it a serious matter as hospital staff needed protection from this kind of abuse.

He imposed a Community Pay Back Order involving 120 hours unpaid work as an alternative to custody.