A GALASHIELS man has been remanded in custody after being accused of causing a disturbance at Borders General Hospital at the weekend.

Rory Morrison, of Larchbank Street, is alleged to have been shouting and swearing and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the accident and emergency department on Sunday.

The 31-year-old pleaded not guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to the charge and also another five offences.

Morrison denied behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and challenging police officers to fight at Gala Park Court on Sunday.

Later at Hawick Police Station it is alleged he was making threatening and homophobic comments, struggling violently with two police officers and attempting to swallow property belonging to himself, assaulting a police constable by flicking blood at him while saying he had AIDS and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner in a police vehicle travelling between Hawick and Borders General Hospital.

A trial has been fixed for July 4 at Selkirk Sheriff Court with an intermediate hearing set for June 17.

Bail was refused and Morrison remanded in custody due to his previous record.