A WOMAN was shocked to discover her estranged husband had started a new relationship and pulled his new girlfriend out of his bed by the hair.

The incident resulted in a court appearance for Maria Rafferty, 46, now of The Dakota Hotel, South Queensferry.

She had been split up from her husband but was still living in the same house.

Rafferty admitted that on April 23 at her home in Main Street, Cairneyhill, she assaulted a woman by seizing her by the hair and pulling her out of a bed.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the couple had been in a relationship for eight years but their marriage had broken down in May last year.

However, they both remained in the same house even though they had split up, the depute told Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

“At around 8.30am, the accused came through and found them in bed together,” added Ms Yousaf.

Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said the couple had split up on previous occasions and later resumed the relationship.

“She had not been aware of the new relationship and it came as something of a shock to get up in the morning and find a woman’s jacket in the kitchen.

“She accepts she should not have reacted in that way but she was upset and shocked. Divorce proceedings are ongoing,” the solicitor added.

Sheriff Craig McSherry deferred sentence until September 20 for Rafferty to be of good behaviour.