TWO police constables were attacked by a Dunfermline man, who has avoided a jail sentence.

One officer was kicked and the other punched to the head, causing injury.

Edward Harris, 32, of Clunie Road, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted previously that on May 15, at Inchkeith Drive, he assaulted a police officer by kicking his leg and attempting to headbutt him.

He also admitted assaulting a second constable by punching him to the head, to his injury.

Depute fiscal Freya Anderson-Ward said that at around 7.50pm, police received a call about two males acting aggressively.

Officers arrived at the area and Harris became “hostile” immediately towards them.

When he tried to walk away, an officer took hold of him and began to put handcuffs on him.

Harris became violent, lunging towards the officer and attempting to headbutt him.

He was put on the ground and kicked the same officer on the leg.

As another PC tried to move the handcuffs from his back to the front, Harris lashed out and struck him on the side of the head, causing an abrasion.

Defence solicitor Aime Allan said her client had been on a Community Payback Order (CPO) at the time and had been doing well on it apart from this “relapse”.

Sheriff Alastair Brown told Harris: “You should go to prison for this.”

However, he said he acknowledged Harris had been making progress on the earlier CPO.

The sheriff imposed another community payback order with 225 hours of unpaid work.