Court blackout man sent to prison

The lights at Selkirk Sheriff Court went out in the incident

A prisoner who caused a blackout at Selkirk Sheriff Court by trying to wire a metal door handle to the electric mains has been jailed for nine months.

James Erasmuson, 25, from Gorebridge, admitted locking himself in the court interview room.

He also admitted shouting and swearing, threatening to kill himself and placing police officers in a state of alarm.

The offence happened in April when he was due to appear in the court in connection with two thefts.

His actions caused the court lights to go out and computers to shut down.