A MAN who assaulted a female neighbour at her door after drinking in local pubs has been put on a ‘tag’ for a year.

The woman was placed in a headlock and seized by the breast by James Smith.

The incident occurred when Smith, 32, now of Campbell Street, Dunfermline, was living in Burntisland and returned home after a night of drinking.

He became involved in a row with a woman which became physical and she was assaulted.

After a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last month, a jury found Smith guilty of two charges.

On April 14-15 last year at an address in Burntisland, he shouted, swore, threatened violence and committed a breach of the peace.

On April 15, at the same address, he assaulted a woman by pushing her on the body, placed her in a headlock, seized her by the breast and struggled with her, all to her injury.

When interviewed by police, Smith told them he suffered from MS and had gone through a “day of rage” before the incident because of problems in his personal and family life.

When he returned home, he was “still raging” and became involved in a confrontation with the neighbour.

He admitted there was “a wee scuffle” with the woman but said she was able to overpower him because of his health difficulties.

“She quickly put me on my knees because I’m feeble,” he told officers.

However, the victim claimed Smith had threatened to rape her during the assault.

Another neighbour heard him shout: “You’re going to f****** get it”.

When Smith returned to court for sentencing, Sheriff Charles MacNair told him: “It must have been extremely frightening for this woman.”

He imposed a community payback order with two years’ supervision and a restriction of liberty order lasting 12 months.