A BORDERS man who admitted an assault has been accused by a sheriff of "vigilantism".

First offender Ben Watson, 30, of Charles Street, Hawick, was given a Community Pay Back order involving 80 hours unpaid work but was told it was an alternative to imprisonment.

The painter and decorator assaulted Greg Scott by seizing him by the clothing and dragging him by the clothing in Baker Street, Hawick, on February 16, 2020.

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He was initially charged with assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement but pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of assault.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said: "He thought he was doing the right thing. We are dealing with a minor assault and he has never been in court before."

But Sheriff Peter Grant-Hutchison countered: "It was an act of vigilantism. It was in a public place and he hauled him outside. He went looking for this man.

"He is somewhat lucky in the circumstances he is not getting a custodial sentence."