A MAN has been jailed after he was caught by CCTV operators carrying out an assault on Dunfermline High Street.

The victim and a friend were standing at the Cross when Stewart Bernard came running up to the complainer.

Bernard, 37, of The Barony, East Wemyss, previously admitted that on July 15, at High Street, Dunfermline, he assaulted a male and did repeatedly punch, kick and stamp on his body to his injury.

The victim, thinking he was going to be attacked by Bernard when he ran over, lashed out first.

Bernard then started repeatedly punching the complainer and knocked him to the ground.

Depute fiscal Jane Rennie said: "The pair struggled and as the complainer began to break free, the accused started kicking him on the chest, which knocked him backwards.

"The accused stood up and stamped the complainer on the chest and then the complainer grabbed the accused's leg.

"The assault lasted for about one minute.

"The two squared up at each other before walking off in different directions."

The scene was captured by CCTV and an operator called the police.

As a result, Bernard had swelling and bruising to his right hand while the complainer had a cut to the right side of his face and a bloody nose.

Defence solicitor Ian Beatson said: "Mr Bernard had been in the town centre and the complainer’s friend had been involved in discussing matters about him of an inappropriate nature.

"He went over to her and the complainer lashed out.

"He accepts he shouldn't have retaliated."

Sheriff Charles Macnair said that Bernard had a very lengthy record and was subject both to a community payback order and custodial sentence this year.

"It is not surprising that when you ran up to the complainer he thought he was going to be assaulted," Mr Macnair said.

"You assaulted him in a serious manner when you kicked and stamped him which caused him serious injury.

"I do not think a community payback order would be sufficient."

Bernard was jailed for 126 days.