A DUNFERMLINE teenager’s drunken escapade in throwing a traffic cone which hit a car proved to be a costly mistake.

Liam Butler was thrown through a hedge by the angry car owner and then hit with a fine at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Butler, 18, of McClelland Crescent, admitted that on June 13, 2016 at Keir Hardie Terrace, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by engaging in a fight with a man.

Depute fiscal Carrie Stevens told the court: “At about 10pm the accused was walking down Keir Hardie Terrace and was under the influence of alcohol.

“He was carrying a traffic cone which was thrown and it hit the complainer’s car.

"The complainer then came outside and they engaged in a conversation.

"They then became embroiled in a fight and the accused punched the complainer once.

“The complainer received a cut to his lip which required stitches.”

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said his client came off worse in the fight and showed the sheriff a photograph taken at the time which showed Butler’s legs sticking through a hedge.

“He was with two friends and they were under the influence of alcohol. He admits they were being loud and boisterous.

"He picked up a traffic cone and had it on his head,” added Mr Morrison.

“He threw the cone, not deliberately at the car, but it struck it and the complainer came out to investigate.

“There was an initial struggle and Mr Butler was thrown through the hedge. He got back up and they were grappling.

"He accepts he punched him once during this grappling and then both of them fell to the ground.

“The well-built complainer won the day and there is a photograph of him standing over Mr Butler waiting for the police to arrive.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry fined Butler £400.