A GALASHIELS man who caused a disturbance at Borders General Hospital has been jailed for six months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Thirty-one-year-old Alex Russell of Gala Park, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in the accident and emergency department on October 12.

The court heard he had been taken to hospital by police officers after he had been arrested earlier at his partner's home in Scott Street, Galashiels, but then told them he had consumed a large quantity of pills.

While at the hospital at around 3am, he threatened officers he would slit their throats if he was returned to the cells and made unreasonable demands in the casualty department.

Depute fiscal Fiona Hamilton said Russell was too unruly to caution and charge at the time.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client was currently on remand for an indictment case to be heard in Glasgow and had also been recently jailed for another offence.

He pointed out that his partner had tragically passed away while he had been in custody.

Russell pleaded guilty to two counts of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at a house in Scott Street,Galashiels, and at Borders General Hospital on October 12.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said that due to the exceptional circumstances of the case he was able to impose a jail sentence of less than 12 months which the Scottish Government has ruled should not be imposed unless necessary.