A DUNFERMLINE man has had extra time added to an existing jail sentence for his part in an assault in the town.

Norman Murphy, 40, of Craigmyle Street, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Wednesday for a review of a community payback order.

He had been given the punishment after admitting that on July 17, 2016, he assaulted a man and repeatedly punched him on the head to his injury in Haig Crescent.

Solicitor Chris Sneddon said a friend of his client had become involved in a disagreement and Murphy intervened and punched the victim three times.

"He is currently serving a sentence and his earliest liberation date is September," he told the court. "Mr Murphy had a heroin addiction for a considerable period of time. He has not misused that substance for three years and things appeared to be getting back on track, however, he then started misusing alcohol. He now accepts he replaced one addiction for another.

"Since going into custody, he has had clean drugs tests and is confident that on his release, he will be able to refrain from illicit substances and from alcohol. He has indicated he regrets this offence."

Sheriff Charles Macnair sentenced Murphy to three months for the assault which will be added onto his current jail term.

He told him: "You were given a chance of a non-custodial sentence and because of your behaviour in relation to other cases, that has no longer proved possible."