A PENSIONER who admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards his 78-year-old partner has been ordered to be of good behaviour for the next four months at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Seventy-two-year-old Kenneth Cooper pleaded guilty to acting in an aggressive manner and shouting offensive comments during the bust-up at a house in Stichill Road, Ednam, on November 28.

The offence was also racially and domestically aggravated.

The court heard that on the day in question the couple had been out together and had returned home and the woman had gone upstairs for a sleep.

When she came back down at 4pm Cooper was lying on the living room floor.

Depute fiscal Alan Wickham said the woman was concerned for him but realised he was intoxicated.

When Cooper was aroused he began swearing at her and told her to go back to Yorkshire.

Mr Wickham said the abuse continued when Cooper went to a bedroom and continued ranting before it stopped at around 7pm.

The court was told the woman challenged Cooper about his behaviour at 10am the following day but he was dismissive about it and that is when the woman sent an email to Police Scotland requesting assistance.

Mr Wickham concluded that the woman had asked for Cooper to stay away from her and the house, which is in joint ownership, is now the subject of civil proceedings.

Defence lawyer Colin Severin said his client had been acting as the woman's carer.

But an argument had developed between the pair when she was "griping about him getting a job" which Mr Severin said Cooper took issue with considering he is 72 years old.

He added: "This culminated in the outburst which he regrets."

Sentence was deferred until May 18 for good behaviour when the imposition of a Non-Harassment Order will be considered.