AN AGGRIEVED father said he was armed with a metal pole in a Kelty street because he was concerned about his son and ex-partner.

John Connelly, 45, of Loch Leven Terrace, was not happy that his child and former girlfriend had gone to the home of someone he had fallen out with, so came back carrying the weapon.

Police were then contacted by a witness in the property about his behaviour.

He admitted that on July 13 at Blackhall Square, Kelty, he did without reasonable excuse or lawful authority, have with him an offensive weapon, namely a metal pole.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard that his ex-partner had been invited around to a friend's home for a few drinks.

She went to the flat at around 10.30pm with her son and around 20 mins later Connelly turned up asking to take his son home.

An argument began but he then left.

Later the witness looked out of the window and saw the accused picking up a pole and shouting at the home.

When police arrived, Connelly took the pole out of his right sleeve and said he was holding it for his own protection because the householder had broken his nose on a previous occasion.

Defence solicitor Steven Farmer said his client had been made aware that his ex-partner and son were going to the property and he was concerned, especially because of the time of night it was.

"He had been drinking," he said. "He had previously abstained from alcohol for five years but recently started drinking again.

"He attended the property and asked for his son to be removed but that was not done, and he shouted.

"He did not know his former partner and son had left the place. He accepts that there were other steps he could have taken, including phoning the police."

Sheriff Craig McSherry fined Connelly £400.