A 23-YEAR-OLD man broke another man’s jaw in two places with a single punch during a street disturbance in front of a police officer, Selkirk Sheriff Court heard.

Joshua Simpson, 23, of Priors Meadow, Jedburgh, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on August 10 last year.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the victim of the assault was a 35-year-old chef who had been out drinking earlier in the evening but had returned to his town centre flat.

He said: “It was round about midnight and the accused was part of a group who were coming along the High Street and making a lot of noise.

“The man took umbrage to this and there was a confrontation both verbal and physical.” Mr Fraser said the victim went to the police station to complain and was standing outside speaking to an officer when Simpson approached him and punched him on the right side of the face.

He said: “The police were dealing with the situation and there was no need to do what he did. The man was taken to Borders General Hospital and then onto St John’s Hospital in Livingston to be treated for a fractured jaw. It was confirmed it was broken in two places from one single blow.” Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until July 6 for background reports.