A SHERIFF has said some parts of Dunfermline town centre are becoming "no-go areas" for law-abiding West Fifers.

Sheriff Charles MacNair made the comments after sentencing a pregnant teenager, who was in a mob of youngsters who assaulted a woman at Dunfermline bus station, to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

There have been repeated complaints about gangs of youths hanging about the bus station and also the Tesco car park, drinking and causing trouble.

The sickening attack on the woman, captured on CCTV, is only one of many incidents of youth disorder, including violence and drug-dealing, which have come before the court recently.

Sheriff MacNair said: “Unfortunately, the bus station and car park at Tesco are becoming no-go areas for the people of Dunfermline going about their lawful activity.”

The 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, previously admitted that on September 9 last year at Dunfermline bus station, whilst acting with others, she assaulted the woman by repeatedly spitting on her head and body, repeatedly kicking her on the body, causing her to fall to the ground.

The victim, who is in her forties and has learning difficulties, was repeatedly surrounded by a group of more than 20 teenage males and females.

Her ordeal went on for around 25 minutes during which time the woman was kicked, knocked to the ground, repeatedly spat on and had her hair burned with a lighter.

The shocking incident was captured throughout on CCTV and was shown in full at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

The bus station was still open at the time, around 11pm, with buses arriving and leaving. Others passengers waiting for their buses looked on but nobody went to the woman’s assistance before the police eventually arrived.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf previously said in court: “It’s a particularly nasty and distasteful offence on a woman in her 40s and who has learning difficulties.

“She was extremely upset when police arrived. The woman is vulnerable and has mental health issues. When police arrived her hair was covered by spit.”

Defence solicitor David Bell said his client had become “enraged” when a racist comment was made by the victim.

The sheriff interrupted him and pointed out there had been no suggestion of provocation when the guilty plea was submitted.

Sheriff MacNair told the girl: “This was a deplorable assault over a considerable period of time. This behaviour will not be tolerated.”

He imposed a community payback order with 12 months’ supervision and 300 hours of unpaid work.

Two male youths were sentenced last week for their part in the incident.

One was given a custodial sentence and the other a community payback order with unpaid work.

Both thugs have been made subject to a five-year anti-social behaviour order which bans them from being part of a group of more than three people in Dunfermline town centre.