A DISPUTE over a second-hand pair of trainers sold online ended in a terrified woman being assaulted.

The woman had received a complaint about the state of the training shoes she had sold and went to give the money back at the Dunfermline home of Andrew Dempster.

Dempster, 38, of Law Road, went to trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court before submitting guilty pleas.

He admitted that on July 22, at his home, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner and acted aggressively towards his victim by standing in front of her in an attempt to prevent her from leaving the premises.

He also admitted assaulting her by repeatedly pushing her on the body.

The trainers were replica Adidas Gazelles, which the woman was selling for £35 via social media.

However, once the trainers had been bought, the complainer was told she would have to give the money back. “They said there were bits falling off them,” she told the court.

When she went back to Dempster’s home with the money, she was told the trainers were not there.

“His partner said the daughter had gone out with them on,” added the witness.

However, despite this, Dempster demanded she give him the money and jumped in front of her, stopping her leaving the block of flats.

She gave him the money but did not receive the trainers back.

She told the court: “I was really scared. That’s why I was screaming down to my mum in the car.

“He wouldn’t let me leave. He kept standing in front of me as I tried to get down the stairs. He was saying he was wanting his money back.”

She said Dempster followed her down to the street and pulled open the door after she got into her mum’s car.

During the trial, Dempster changed his plea, admitting two of the three charges he faced, which was accepted by the Crown.

Sheriff Charles MacNair called for reports and Dempster will be sentenced on July 18.