A roads workman was punched by an angry driver during an incident in Dunfermline.

It proved to be an expensive punch for 28-year-old Brendan Penman, when he appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Penman, of Greenacres, Kingseat, admitted that on March 1 last year at Kingseat Road, Dunfermline, he assaulted a man during the course of his employment and punched him to the face to his injury.

Depute fiscal Charlotte Allan told the court that Penman had driven through road works at 12.55pm.

The workman saw a silver BMW speeding towards temporary traffic lights and waved for him to slow down.

The workman thought nothing more of it until Penman returned to the scene around 30 minutes later and got out of his car.

“The workman told the accused he wasn’t looking any trouble and all he had done was ask him to slow down,” added the depute.

Another motorist stopped her car behind Penman’s vehicle and she saw him punch the workman causing him to fall to the ground.

The victim’s son, who was also working there, went to his dad’s assistance and saw his nose had been knocked out of alignment.

“He did not seek medical treatment and chose to push his nose back into place,” added the depute.

Defence solicitor Aime Allan said her client “didn’t know the gestures were for him to slow down”.

When he returned later “a heated exchange” had broken out.

“His view at the time was that it was self-defence,” she added.

Sheriff Wylie Robertson was unimpressed by Penman’s story saying: “What I find is extraordinary is if he didn’t realise he was being asked to slow down, then why did he stop his car on the second occasion.”

The sheriff told Penman: “This behaviour is unacceptable on any level.”

He imposed a fine of £1040 and ordered Penman to pay £750 compensation.