A 32-year-old man has been ordered to carry out 70 hours unpaid work after causing a disturbance outside a Hawick house.

David Embleton of no fixed abode, but normally resides in County Durham, pleaded guilty to shouting and swearing in Northcote Street on January 5 and refusing to desist when requested to do so by police officers.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told that Embleton had been invited to stay at the house but the householder changed his mind and requested police assistance to get him to leave.

Police arrived and Embleton was told not to go back to the address but two hours later was found in the stairwell of the property.

Claire Nicholls, prosecuting, said he was asked to leave but became belligerent towards police officers.