A DUNFERMLINE man who punched a police officer has been jailed for eight months.

Jason Maxwell, 38, of Abel Place, admitted previously that on November 17, at Dunfermline Police Station, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm in that did utter a threat of violence towards a police constable then in the execution of his duty.

Also, he assaulted another constable then in the execution of their duty and punched him to his injury.

And, after being granted bail on November 18 on condition that he did not contact his partner, he failed to comply with the condition without reasonable excuse by approaching and contacting his partner on January 31.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia explained that police were called anonymously about allegations so they attended at a property in Dunfermline, where they could hear a disturbance at the property.

Maxwell's partner appeared to be upset when police found her and allegations were made.

"They found the accused in the living room and handcuffed him because they thought he might be in possession of a knife," Mr Kapadia said.

Maxwell was taken to Dunfermline Police Station but his partner was hostile and began changing the story she had previously given, the court was told.

When he was being processed at the station, he threatened one officer: "I will slash your throat."

He was taken to his cell and when another officer went to get water for the accused, he was punched on the head.

One of the policemen suffered minor injuries, the court heard, including reddening and a small cut to his head.

When he breached his bail, police had gone to carry out a warrant check when they found the accused with his partner.

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said her client continued to be supported by his partner.

"He has not had his difficulties to seek," Ms Joshi said. "He has particular physical and mental health difficulties.

"He has suffered from misuse of alcohol for many years. He accepts that is behaviour was out of order."

Sheriff Alastair Brown told Maxwell that assaults and threats to police officers were unacceptable to the court and public.

"You've been given opportunities but you still don't behave. You have been on a community payback order, a drugs testing order, to prison and fine – everything has been tried."