A drunken Kelso man who spat at a nurse trying to treat him in Borders General Hospita avoided a custodial sentence at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.
First offender Reece Burton was ordered to carry out 130 hours of unpaid work over the next nine months as an alternative to imprisonment.
The 21-year-old, of Riverside Drive, admitting threatening or abusive behaviour at the hospital on May 9, struggling with and spitting at staff who were trying to treat him.
Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser, pictured, told a previous hearing: “He was found in Kelso in such a state that he was removed to Borders General Hospital.
“He was very intoxicated and staff tried to treat him, but be began throwing his arms about. He sat up and his head came into contact with one of the staff and there was a clash of heads.”
At around 1am Burton calmed down, but by 2.15am he was throwing his arms around and kicking his legs, and started to spit towards staff.
Other staff had to intervene and try to assist their colleagues. Burton was shouting and swearing, telling nurses to “f**k off”.
The fiscal added: “This went on for about half an hour until police were called and intervened.”
Defence lawyer Stephanie Clinkscale said her client was highly embarrassed and had little memory of the events.