THE theft of some Scotch lamb and a pineapple resulted in a West Fife thief being placed on a community payback order this week.

Anthony Morgan, 41, of Manse Road, Inverkeithing, appeared at Dunfemline Sheriff Court on Wednesday after admitting stealing a quantity of food items from Aldi, Dunfermline, where he also conducted himself in a disorderly manner, struggled with an employee and committed a breach of the peace on 24th January last year.

Morgan was given a community payback order of 170 hours to be completed within a six-month period.

Depute fiscal Kiran Uppal said Morgan was spotted by staff in Aldi pushing a trolley and carrying a bag in which he put meat from the chiller cabinet.

Staff continued to watch him and confronted him after he had left the store.

Ms Uppal said the accused "turned nasty" and started to struggle with the member of staff and shouted at them to give his bag back.

Solicitor Alexander Flett said the items - a pineapple and two pieces of Scotch lamb - were recovered by the store immediately.

He said although his client had a significant amount of convictions, he was capable of being a law-abiding citizen.

"Unfortunately when he relapses into drugs misuse, it can lead to him commiting offences," he told the court.

Sheriff Charles McNair told Morgan he had a "dreadful record of theft by shoplifting" and added that this offence was worsened by the breach of the peace.

"You were struggling with a member of staff who had been trying to do her job and you had no business to be struggling with her," he added.

"You are very close to a custodial sentence and I am prepared to deal with this by way of a non custodial sentence - but only just."