A BORDERS man pretended to police he was going to commit suicide, with 22 logged incidents during a seven-month spell.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard that Jamie West, 35, of Gala Park, Galashiels, later admitted he had no intention of killing himself but only wanted to get the attention of the police and answers about a case he wanted them to investigate.

However, the court was told police had protocols to follow when he made the suicide claims and in one of the incidents in August 2019, the cost to Police Scotland investigating his false claims was £3,000 in man-hours alone.

West pleaded guilty to a charge of wasting police time.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said West did not realise at the time the impact his false threats would cause.

Sheriff Adrian Cottam pointed out it would cost even more money sending West to prison.

He took into account West was on benefits and imposed a compensation order of £750 in favour of Police Scotland and ordered West to pay the balance in instalments at £10 a week.