A POSTAL worker who organised an illegal rave in a Borders forest during the COVID restrictions has avoided a jail sentence.

David Robertson also spat on a police officer called out to break-up the event exposing him to the risk of being infected with the virus.

The 33-year-old from Edinburgh, pleaded guilty to two charges of culpable and reckless conduct at Deepsyke Forest near West Linton, Peeblesshire, on September 5 last year.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard he admitted causing to take place a rave party attended by approximately 19 people in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions contrary to public health guidance in force.

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The maximum group allowed outdoors at the time was 15 from no more than five households.

Robertson pleaded guilty to a second charge of spitting on a police constable exposing him and the wider community to the risk of infection with the virus.

No details of the offences were read out in court with the Crown providing a written narration of the circumstances to the sheriff.

Passing sentence Sheriff Peter Paterson told him: "These are serious offences. The restrictions were in place for the protection of everyone.

"People will say those attended at their own risk but that is not the point. They could transmit to others by gathering together."

As an alternative to custody, the Royal Mail night shift worker was given a day-time curfew between the hours of 8am and 4pm at his home in St Patrick Square in the capital for the next nine months.