STRICT new measures have been introduced with immediate effect at sheriff courts in the Borders to control the spread of coronavirus.

Jury trials due to go ahead on Monday (March 23) have been postponed while trials for new non-priority cases are being scheduled for October.

Custody trials will continue to take priority with trial dates for new cases involving domestic abuse, sexual offences and violence now being fixed for August.

Access to sheriff courts is being severely restricted with only court users allowed entry.

This means accused people and witnesses will not be allowed to be accompanied by family or friends.

Court users have to wash their hands on entry to the buildings at Jedburgh and Selkirk and no waiting is allowed on staircases outside the main court chamber.

One scheduled trial was adjourned today (Thursday) at Jedburgh after the accused did not turn up, with his lawyer say saying his client was in the "at risk" category with lung difficulties.

Philip Lockwood, 62, of Dunion Road, Jedburgh, is charged with assaulting a man last August, stealing a set of car keys and obstructing police.

The trial has now been rescheduled for August 4.

Three jury trials were due to get underway at Jedburgh on Monday but they have now been put back to an intermediate diet hearing in May when the date for a new sitting will be fixed.