A MAN involved in a bust-up with his partner was taken to the Borders General Hospital where he directed homophobic abuse towards nurses and threatened police officers with violence, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

William Byers, 43, pleaded guilty to the offences at a house in Havelock Place, Hawick, during the early hours of November 20 and also later at the hospital.

Procurator fiscal Fraser Matheson said that at about quarter to five in the morning an argument broke out between the accused and his partner, who said she wanted to end the relationship.

Mr Matheson explained that she ended up phoning the police and the events were listened to by the call handler.

Mr Matheson said: "During the course of the phone call the accused grabbed her by the wrists and pushed her on the back.

"The police were dispatched to the scene and ultimately the accused was arrested.

"He was taken to the Borders General Hospital due to the concerns about his demeanour."

Byers, of Horsburgh Street, Innerleithen, told the court he had no recollection of the incident due to the drugs he had taken.

He admitted assaulting his partner and threatening or abusive behaviour towards nurses and police but the Crown accepted his not guilty plea to assaulting a police officer.

Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed an 18-month Community Payback Order with supervision with the special condition that Byers attends a drug treatment programme.