A 23-YEAR-OLD man who launched what a sheriff described as a "cowardly attack" has been jailed for 15 months.

David Cotton pleaded guilty to assaulting Jordan Simpson by striking him on the head causing him to fall to the ground and lose conciousness.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told that the victim had been involved in a struggle with Cotton's friend at 3am on November 28 in Hawick's High Street.

Depute fiscal Fiona Hamilton said Mr Simpson was being attended to by a person when Cotton "came from nowhere" and punched Mr Simpson to the side of his head.

"It caused him to fall to the ground hitting the back of his head on the pavement.

"The witness was heard to shout, 'You have killed him' as the accused ran off."

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Mr Simpson was taken to Borders General Hospital for treatment to head injuries and was off his work for eight days.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had been out in Hawick socialising with a friend who got involved in an argument with the victim.

He added: "He intervened at the request of his friend. He is fortunate the injuries were not worse."

Mr Hulme said Cotton, who gave an address in Hawick, had been on remand in connection with the incident since December 3.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said: "You have an unenviable record. It was a cowardly attack against someone who was defenceless."

He back-dated the 15-month prison sentence to December 3.