A GALASHIELS man who caused a disturbance in a public house and was also disruptive at Borders General Hospital has been ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Simon Hadden was also given a four-months night time home curfew and ordered to pay a total of £200 in compensation to four women he was abusive towards.

The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the Bridge Inn in Galashiels on October 20 and struggling violently with police officers.

The court was told that Hadden had been drinking in the pub and at about 12.45am he started to abuse two female customers with various insults.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said that the accused was looking to get a reaction from customers and continued making insults.

He refused to leave the premises on three occasions but eventually did after abusing a female bar staff member.

When three police officers arrived on the scene he was also abusive towards them including a female constable.

Hadden suffered a bump on the head during a struggle and had to be taken to hospital for a check-up but on the journey constantly kicked the interior of the vehicle.

Mr Fraser said: "He was abusive in the hospital which was busy at the time and was shouting and swearing referring to paedophiles and rapists. "He was told to keep the noise down."

After another struggle with police officers he was cautioned and charged and in his statement he was again abusive and threatened one officer by saying if he saw him in the street he was 'going to kick his head in'.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow explained that the reference to paedophiles and rapists came up because he was complaining that he was being arrested and was alleging that no action was being taken against a former neighbour.

He continued: "He does know this is a serious matter. His father had just passed away and he ended up drinking too much."

Sheriff Peter Paterson said the behaviour merited a custodial sentence but added he could impose the alternative.

But he warned: "If you are back before the court again because of your drinking, you will be jailed."

Hadden was given a 15 months Community Pay Back Order with supervision, 100 hours unpaid work and a four months Restriction of Liberty Order at his Hawthorn Road home between the hours of 7pm and 6.30am.

In addition he was told to pay £50 compensation to each of the four women - the two customers, the bar employee and the police constable - he subjected to abusive comments.