A DUNFERMLINE nightshift worker who assaulted a schoolboy after snowballs were thrown at his window has been admonished.

Sheriff Craig McSherry believed Damian Rae was "severely provoked" when he punched a boy.

There were two incidents which occurred within four days involving school pupils.

Rae, 31, of Inchkeith Drive, previously admitted that on January 19 last year, at Inchkeith Drive, he shouted, swore and made threats of violence.

On January 22, at Inchkeith Drive, he again shouted, swore and made threats of violence.

He also admitted that he then assaulted a 14-year-old boy by punching him on the body.

Previously, the court heard that on the Friday, there had been an incident at 1.30pm involving schoolboys throwing snowballs and hitting Rae’s windows.

Rae needed to sleep during the day as he works nightshifts as a porter.

He threatened and swore at the youngsters on that occasion. One of them was the boy who was then punched on the shoulder when another snowball hit a window on the Monday afternoon.

Defence solicitor Larry Flynn explained that Rae had a previous record but there has been a long gap in his offending.

"I have known the Rae family for some time and he really has turned himself around now," Mr Flynn said.

"He has worked as a night porter for two years now.

"The company really took a chance on him but he has repaid them.

"There was provocation but he believes his behaviour was out of line with that.

"There was a time when he would have been running around doing that."

Sheriff McSherry said: "I was very impressed that you were made Employee of the Year having no experience of catering and by the gap in your record.

"You were quite severely provoked and one of the children came back to repeat what was happening, throwing snowballs and stones.

"I will admonish you."