A 43-YEAR-OLD man failed to tell a police officer he had an unguarded syringe while he was being searched at Hawick Police Station.

Christopher Haddock pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to a charge of culpable and reckless conduct on the morning of April 12.

He admitted causing the officer to be at risk to injury or infection.

Depute fiscal India MacLean said Haddock was asked if he had any sharp objects within his clothing and he replied no.

But the officer suffered a pin prick to one of his fingers when he came across the unguarded syringe which had been contained in the cuff of his trousers.

His lawyer claimed Haddock had not injected drugs for a number of years and the syringe itself was empty.

She added: “It does seem to be a genuine mistake.”

Sheriff Peter Anderson told Haddock he should have known the syringe was there, adding that this could have resulted in something more serious.

He fined him a total of £220 with a £20 victim surcharge.