A SELF-EMPLOYED barber has been fined £300 after admitting assaulting a man in a late-night incident in Peebles High Street.

Twenty-five-year-old Lewis Confrey – who gave an address in Eddleston – pleaded guilty to punching the man on the head on November 5.

India McLean, prosecuting, said the incident happened shortly before midnight when Confrey was speaking to the complainer in a takeaway shop.

She continued: “Things escalated and he seized him by the clothing and dragged him out of the chip shop.

“This was seen by police officers who observed the complainer fall to the ground.”

The depute fiscal said officers intervened and they took hold of the man in an attempt to move him away but Confrey still managed to punch the man in the face.

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Defence lawyer Michael Elliot said it was the first time his client had been in trouble with the police.

He added: “He does not know what it was about but accepts he struck the complainer once in the face.

“It was an isolated incident. He is known to the complainer and since then he has gone to him and apologised.

“The man was wearing a body warmer which got torn during the incident and my client has paid for the repairs. He apologises and wants to move on.”

In addition to the £300 fine a £20 victim surcharge was imposed as well as a £50 compensation payment to the man assaulted.

Co-accused Scott Brown, 37, of Clovenfords, had his not guilty pleas to charges of assault and obstructing police accepted by the Crown.