Court steps attacker sent to jail

The court heard Colin Valentine, 31, of Newtown St Boswells, had been told Darren Whigham, 19, had been having a relationship with his girlfriend.

He admitted attacking the younger man when he saw him on the steps of Selkirk Sheriff Court on 21 August this year.

A previously unexpired seven-month jail term was added to his sentence of two years and four months.

The court was told Valentine stabbed Mr Whigham on the shoulder when he saw him standing having a cigarette.

"He admits it is the stupidest thing he has ever done"
Ross Gardiner
Defence lawyer

The teenager, who escaped with a small cut on his shoulder, staggered back into the building and into the courtroom itself, which was adjourned at the time, to summon help.

Valentine was initially charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of assaulting him by striking him with a knife on the body to his injury.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting, told the court that the attacker's partner and Mr Whigham had had a "brief sexual relationship" when Valentine was in prison serving a previous sentence.

He added that when Valentine heard about it "not surprisingly he was angry about it".

The attack was captured on the CCTV outside the court and has since led to searches of members of the public at all sheriff court houses in the Borders for weapons.

'Dreadful record'

Defence lawyer Ross Gardiner insisted the attack was not pre-meditated and his client had been walking past the sheriff court at the time.

"He admits it is the stupidest thing he has ever done," he said.

"He is fully aware it is going to be another Christmas that will not be spent with his child."

Sheriff Kevin Drummond told Valentine he had a "dreadful record".

"This offence took place at the sheriff court building on someone who was required to be here and I regard that as a further aggravation," he said.

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