A 44-YEAR-OLD man who was refused service in a Lauder public house went outside and set off a firework which filled the premises with smoke, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

Prosecutor India McLean described how disgruntled Ian Balmer had previously been barred from the Golden Bannock in High Street and was asked to leave. 

He was spotted a short time later walking past the window of the pub and a loud bang was heard. 

She said the pub filled up with smoke and resulted in customers ducking under tables to escape the fumes. 

Ms McLean said that the incident resulted from a firework being set off near the doorway.

Defence lawyer Liam Alexander said there had been a previous incident at the pub and his client carried out what he thought was a harmless prank, although he accepted it was not a pleasant experience for the people inside the premises. 

Balmer of Allan Terrace, Dalkeith, pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable and reckless conduct on the evening of July 15 last year. 

He was sentenced to 90 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody and was given an SBO stating he is not allowed to go within 10 metres of the Golden Bannock for the next five years. 

Balmer also pleaded guilty to breaking a window at a caravan parked in Queens Road, Eyemouth, on November 4 last year and stealing a quantity of food and drink. 

Mr Alexander said Balmer had been visiting a friend in Eyemouth and was left stranded. It was a cold night and he broke into the van for somewhere to sleep. 

Balmer was fined a total of £300 for the break-in and theft and ordered to pay £130 compensation for the broken window.