A drunken man, found bloodied and half-naked sitting in a flower bed at Hawick’s Horse monument, later spat in the face of a police officer.
James Jackson claimed to have no recollection of his behaviour, having mixed his medication with alcohol.
The 25-year-old, of Galalaw Road, Hawick, admitted assaulting a police officer at the cells complex of the town’s police station on June 30 by spitting in his face.
Police received a number of 999 calls reporting that a man, wearing just grey tracksuit bottoms and no top, was behaving in a disorderly manner.
Responding to the calls, an officer went to investigate and was told the man had headed towards the town’s High Street.
“He found him sitting in a flower bed at the Horse monument,” explained prosecutor Tessa Bradley at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.
“He was bloody, having fallen, and very drunk,” she added.
Jackson was handcuffed while the officer waited for assistance from colleagues and put into the back of a police vehicle before being taken to the cells at the police station.
Ms Bradley continued: “He was obstreperous on the way and very vocal towards the officers.
“At 9.20pm, he was being removed from the cells when he spat bloody saliva on to the police officer’s face, just as the door was being opened.
“This struck him on the face and the mouth, and the accused was taken to the ground, restrained and a spit hood applied.
“Other officers had to take over and the constable had to seek medical attention, and his uniform had to be destroyed due to contamination.”
Mat Patrick, solicitor for Jackson, said his client had no recollection of committing the offence, and was deeply ashamed and apologetic for his behaviour.
The lawyer went on: “He was taking medication and also drinking heavily at the time, and the combination of the alcohol and prescribed medication contributed to this behaviour.
Mr Patrick said Jackson was “under no illusions about the gravity of the offence”, adding: “He fully appreciates it was hugely distasteful and acknowledges that.”
Sheriff Ailsa Carmichael sentenced Jackson to a community payback order with 100 hours of unpaid work.