A WOMAN suffered a black eye after being punched by her partner in Dunfermline High Street.

Two members of the public went to the distressed victim’s help after witnessing the assault.

Kyle Smart, 25, of Chalmers Street, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on November 5, at Dunfermline High Street, he assaulted his partner by pushing her on the body and punching her on the head to her injury.

Depute fiscal Claire Bremner said the couple had been having a night out in Dunfermline and had left Lourenzo’s nightclub at around 1am.

As they walked up towards the High Street they began arguing. During the row, Smart pushed his partner and she fell over.

She got up and pushed him back, the depute continued.

“At that point, he punched her once to the left side of the face then walked away. Two members of the public saw what had happened,” added Ms Bremner.

They went to the victim’s assistance and saw she was crying. The two passers-by then walked with her to see her home.

When they reached Chalmers Street, Smart approached them. “He was unhappy that they were walking her home. He asked them to leave as it was none of their business.

“They were concerned for her safety and contacted the police. At 2.05am, officers responded to the call. They saw the accused, the complainer and the two witnesses.

“One of the witnesses said: ‘He hit her’. The complainer was visibly upset and crying.

“The accused said to the police: ‘That’s my girlfriend. It’s just a domestic.’ He was then detained.”

Ms Bremner said the victim sustained a black eye and a sore lip in the incident.

Sheriff Charles MacNair called for reports and sentencing will take place on January 24.

He said: “I’m concerned about the attitude expressed by the accused towards the members of the public who were protecting her, saying it was none of their business.

“He seems to think it’s alright to assault his girlfriend.”