A youth was punched then bitten on the face in Inverkeithing by a drunk man.

The attacker, Scott Pattinson, was serving in the army at the time of the offence and is now £660 out of pocket after appearing in Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

The 25-year-old, of Cleveland Drive in Inverkeithing, admitted that on January 3 2015 on the town's High Street, he assaulted a youth by punching him and biting him on the face to his injury.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia told the court the incident occurred around 8.15pm when the 16-year-old victim was accompanied by another boy, aged 14 at the time.

“They saw the accused and he shouted to them asking if they were homeless. They noticed he was heavily under the influence of alcohol,” said the depute.

“The accused punched the youth to the head. He then leaned over and said something in his ear but he couldn’t hear what he was saying. He then bit him on the left cheek.”

Defence solicitor Elaine Buist said the case had taken so long to come to court because her client was previously in the army and was based at Aldershot. He now has another job.

“This happened about two years ago and he’s had no further incidents arising. He is a first offender,” said Ms Buist.

“Alcohol definitely played a role. He can’t fathom out what was going on his mind. He has no recollection whatsoever.

“These two young men gave a most coherent description. It goes without saying he’s deeply ashamed.”

Sheriff Charles Macnair told Pattinson, “This was a wholly unprovoked and unnecessary assault which took place in a public place when you were drunk.”

The sheriff fined Pattinson £360 and ordered him to pay £300 in compensation.