A MAN who subjected his former partner to a terrifying attack and told her "I am going to kill you" was ordered to do unpaid work.

Allan Ward, 34, put his hands round the woman's neck after an argument in the early hours of July 9.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, he admitted assault and threatening to kill her, shouting and swearing at her, seizing her by the throat, pulling her to the ground, pinning her to the floor and compressing her throat whereby her breathing was restricted, all to her injury at his home in Shin Way, Dunfermline.

Depute Fiscal Dev Kapadia said on the day of the incident, Ward was looking after the children they had from their previous relationship while his ex partner was socialising with friends.

She returned to his home at around 2.15am as she believed he had been consuming alcohol and wanted to ensure the children were ok.

When she arrived, she could see him lying face down on the floor and she had to bang on the window to wake him up.

"The two parties exchanged some choice language towards each other and the matter progressed," said Mr Kapadia. "The accused took hold of the complainer by the throat and pulled her to the floor.

"He kept his hands around her neck and continued to hold her saying 'I am going to kill you'. She was struggling for breath and became fearful for her safety and subsequently told the police she had been struggling to the point where she didn't think she was going to get back up."

Solicitor Ian Beatson said his client had a friend round while he watched his children and alcohol had been consumed.

"He was careful about what he was drinking – he fell asleep while watching TV and had not expected her to come round to the house.

"He was woken up by her and she formed the impression that he was asleep because he had been drinking and an argument ensued.

"He enjoys a good relationship with his former partner and very much regrets the incident."

Sheriff Craig McSherry placed Ward on a community payback order requiring him to carry out 125 hours of unpaid work within six months.