A MASKED maniac who lashed out with a machete in Selkirk town centre in broad daylight has been remanded in custody at the town's sheriff court.

Harrison Long, 28, was found guilty by a majority verdict following a three day jury trial of causing severe injury and permanent disfigurement to his victim.

Forty-two-year-old Colin Hendrie suffered a five inch cut to his arm and a fractured elbow following the attack in Selkirk's market Place at around 11am on Sunday, February 3.

Long was also convicted of being in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a machete.

The trial heard evidence that Long's dog had been involved in a confrontation with a dog belonging to Karen Valentine the previous day and there was a confrontation.

Long was found guilty of repeatedly striking Valentine's friend Colin Hendrie on the body with the machete to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Despite being masked, Long was identified as being the culprit by Valentine and an off-duty policeman.

Giving evidence, Long denied being in Market Place and said he was in a nearby house in West Port at the time of the incident.

He claimed Valentine was lying, saying she was only getting back at him as she had discovered him sending photos of his private parts on Snapchat to another female.

Long alleged Valentine was angry as he had slept with her the previous night but was now sending messages to another woman.

Before the jury's verdict, Long of Bemersyde Crescent, Selkirk, had already pleaded guilty to defecating in a cell at Hawick Police Station on February 4 and smearing faeces on a camera, the walls and a door - as part of a 'dirty protest', struggling violently with four police officers and biting a constable on his hand and arm to his injury.

On a separate complaint, Long pleaded guilty to being in possession of a metal baton during an incident in the Gala Park area of Galashiels, on December 23, 2017.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Long they were serious offences and deferred sentence until August 26 for the production of a Criminal Justice Social Work Report and a Restriction of Liberty Order assessment.

He refused a motion for bail and Long was remanded in custody.