A 25-YEAR-OLD man who punched a police officer in the face to his injury at Borders General Hospital has been given a night-time home curfew.

Martin McGroary, who gave an address in Kelso, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to the offence which happened on February 2.

The court heard McGroary had been at the hospital and was about to undergo an eight-hour operation to save the use of his arm when the disturbance occurred.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said the offence was aggravated by the location and also McGroary's previous convictions.

But he added he would impose an alternative to custody with a restriction of liberty order for the next six months between 7pm and 7am at his Kelso home.