A KELTY man grabbed a schoolboy by the throat and threatened to kill him after being angered by comments he had made.

The incident led to an appearance at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for Kevin Clark, 31, of Union Street.

He admitted that on September 1 at Centre Street, Kelty, he assaulted a 13-year-old boy by seizing him by the throat, compressing his throat, restricting his breathing and threatening to kill him, all to his injury.

Depute fiscal Jane Rennie said the incident began at a bonfire in a back garden.

Clark had become involved in an argument with the boy and became angry at “cheeky” comments.

“He grabbed hold of the front of his neck and said, ‘I’m going to murder you, you wee p****. You’re dead',” added the depute. The boy screamed as a result.

Defence solicitor James Moncrieff said the comments made by the youth had been about his client’s daughter and his deceased parents.

Sheriff Craig McSherry pointed out that Clark had denied committing the offence when speaking to social workers.

Mr Moncrieff replied: “He says he panicked when he was speaking to social work and put forwards untruths.”

Sheriff McSherry deferred sentence on Clark until August 15 for him to be of good behaviour.