SENTENCE has been further deferred on a 57-year-old man who robbed a pensioner in Peebles.

Colin Boyle had previously admitted carrying out the attack on the 75-year-old woman near his home in the town’s Cuddyside on April 25, 2022.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that he seized the strap of her handbag – causing her to fall to the ground – before escaping with the bag and its contents.

Defence lawyer Stephanie Clinkscale asked for a drug treatment and testing order assessment to be prepared before sentencing.

Sheriff Peter Paterson agreed to the request so that the court could look at all options before a final decision was made.

But he warned Boyle not to think a custodial sentence would not be imposed when the case recalls on April 16.