A DRUNK Dunfermline man masturbated in front of passengers and touched the thigh of a woman on a train between Edinburgh and Rosyth.

Married man Kevin Smith had been on a night out with colleagues in Edinburgh on the day in question.

His solicitor said he had a "very limited memory" of the events.

Smith appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The 54-year-old, of Mathieson Place, previously admitted that on May 6, during the course of a train journey between Edinburgh Waverley and Rosyth railway station, he did intentionally engage in a sexual activity in the presence of two women in that he did masturbate.

Also, on the same journey, he did act in a manner likely to cause a reasonable person fear or alarm and did place his hand on the thigh of another woman.

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said her client had drank to excess which was unusual for him.

She added: "There is a record before the court that might be alarming but that was 12 years ago.

"He accepts his behaviour was completely inappropriate.

"Conduct requirements may not be appropriate as his other convictions do not involve this sort of behaviour and he has grandchildren.

"Although this matter is serious there has been a 12-year gap in his offending."

Sheriff Craig McSherry placed Smith on a community payback order for three years.

He will have to follow conduct requirements that include only staying in accommodation approved by authorities, have no contact with individuals known to him as having sexual offence convictions and take part in a moving forward programme.

He was also ordered to pay £250 to each individual and put on the sex offenders register as alternative to custody.