Less than two-and-a-half hours after being released on bail, Paul Aries assaulted a man.
At Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Thursday, Aries, 25, of Melrose Court, admitted repeatedly punching a man to his injury in Abbey Place, Jedburgh, on October 17.
The offence happened about 3pm after Aries had been released on bail from Jedburgh Sher
iff Court, where he appeared at 12.40pm.
Aries and the victim were seen arguing just outside the court and were split up after "pushing and shoving each other".
The man walked off towards Abbey Place and was "closely followed" by Aries after leaving the local Tourist Information Centre.
"Aries approached him and punched him three times on the head and when he fell to the ground, punched him again on the body," explained Procurator fiscal Viki Welton.
As the victim "lay motionless" on the ground, police were called, and the man was taken to hospital.
"He had been unconscious but there were no fractures," said Miss Welton. "He had soft tissue damage and was detained overnight for observation."
Aries was traced later that afternoon and said he had punched the man as he owed him money.
He said he had changed the top he was wearing as it was covered in blood.
Defence lawyer Rory Bannerman said there had been an earlier argument in the street between the two men.
He said the other man had walked off and Aries went in the same direction.
"Each threw a punch at one another, but Aries connected and was able to get the upper hand," said Mr Bannerman.
Sentence was deferred until December 18 for a DTTO (Drug Treatment and Testing Order) report.
Sheriff Kevin Drummond warned Aries: "I am pleased to hear you say you are fed up going to jail, because that is where you will be going if you keep offending."
