CAUSING a disturbance at Borders General Hospital resulted in a jail sentence of almost nine months for Alex Russell.

The 35-year-old, of Carlin Court, Tweedbank, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened last month.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told he was abusive to medical staff and police officers and threatened to punch one of the officers in the face.

He had earlier been arrested for threatening or abusive behaviour towards two 17-year-old males in Jedburgh play park where he was found to be under the influence of alcohol shortly after appearing in court that day.

Sheriff Peter Paterson admonished him on that charge but said the conduct at Borders General Hospital was “totally unacceptable” and there was no alternative to custody.

The prison sentence of 270 days was back-dated to October 11.