A ROAD RAGE incident led to a confrontation in the Ada Halbeath car park.

Ian Cockburn, from Dunfermline, became irate over “tail-gating” and approached the other car, brandishing a socket wrench in his hand.

The incident resulted in Cockburn, 30, of David Henderson Court, appearing in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on June 25, at Asda superstore, Halbeath Retail Park, Dunfermline, he shouted, swore and brandished a metal object.

Depute fiscal Laura McManus told the court the incident took place at around 7.15pm.

She went on: “Two witnesses arrived at Asda car park. One got out of the car to get money from a cash machine and the other remained in the vehicle.

“This person became aware of somebody staring at him.

“The accused then approached the vehicle with a metal object in his hand which he raised above his head. The witness had the window down and raised his arm to protect himself as he thought he was going to be struck.

“The other man came back to his car and there was then a heated argument between them with trolleys being pushed at each other before the accused went into the store.”

Police were contacted and Cockburn told officers: “I was frightened for myself.”

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said: “His position is that he became embroiled in this after an incident of tail-gating by the driver of another car.

“The two cars had been parked at the supermarket before he behaved in this manner, brandishing a socket wrench. He does appear to regret it. He has had alcohol and cocaine issues.”

Sheriff Charles MacNair told Cockburn: “This was an incident of road rage by you. This item is of significant weight and could have caused significant injury.”

The sheriff imposed a community payback order with 120 hours of unpaid work.