A MAN who kicked the face of his ex partner's friend after a night out in Dunfermline town centre has been ordered to pay compensation to his victim.

Jake Adamson, 20, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday after earlier admitting that on September 9 in the town's Hill Street, he assaulted the man, threw him to the floor and repeatedly kicked him on the head as he lay on the floor, to his injury.

Depute fiscal Jane Rennie said the woman had been out with the victim and, at around 4am, they set off to walk home and Adamson, of Foulford Road, Cowdenbeath, appeared, wanting to speak with his ex partner alone.

"At his point, the complainer moved away to give them privacy however a few minutes later, the accused began to attack the complainer, throwing him to the ground before kicking him to the face several times," she told the Court. "His ex partner was screaming at him to stop and this disturbance was heard by somebody living in a nearby property. Police were contacted by this person and by the accused's ex partner and the accused ran away."

As a result of the attack, the man sustained slight bruising to his head but did not require medical attention.

Solicitor James Moncrieff said his client had seen his ex partner and the victim in a nightclub earlier in the evening and an argument had taken place before he left.

Later on he was contacted by the former partner who said she wanted to discuss matters and they arranged to meet.

"He was surprised she was still in the company of the complainer and he asked to speak with her alone," said Mr Moncrieff. "His position thereafter is certain comments were made including a suggestion by the complainer that he should be a better role model to his son than he was currently being and he accepts that is why he reacted in the manner he did.

"He is remorseful for his behaviour – he has to accept that while the injuries sustained by the complainer were minimal, there is a potential for serious injury in assaults of this nature."

Sheriff Charles Macnair said he was "just" prepared to impose a non custodial sentence.

"This was an unprovoked assault on somebody who was with your former partner who has been the victim of numerous criminal behaviour from you in the recent past," he said.

"You are becoming very very close to going to custody for this sort of offending."

Adamson was placed on a community payback order with supervision for nine months. He was ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and pay £300 compensation to his victim.