A serial road rage offender, who punched a motorist after pursuing him through the streets of Dunfermline, has been put on a ‘tag’ and fined.

The victim, whose young child was in the car, was subjected to racist abuse, then punched and knocked to the ground by Antonio Bocchino.

In another incident, Bocchino grabbed a baseball bat, chased a driver and then smashed his van.

Bocchino, 34, of Whitelaw Road, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, accompanied by a translator but then said he could speak English. He previously admitted offences committed in the city last year.

On May 14, at Garvock Hill, he shouted, swore, pursued a man with a baseball bat and repeatedly struck his car with the bat.

On May 24, at Woodmill Road and Blacklaw Road, he drove carelessly, overtook and increased his speed.

On September 19, at Dunnock Road, he shouted, swore and made racially offensive remarks towards a male driver.

He also assaulted the man by punching him on the head to his injury.

Depute fiscal Charlotte Allan said on May 14 there was an incident on Garvock Hill at a traffic calming island.

Bocchino stopped next to another car and became verbally abusive to the driver, arguing about who had right of way.

Bocchino then got out of his car with a baseball bat and chased the man before striking the wing mirror of the van, smashing it.

On May 24, at 8.40am Bocchino stopped his car in Woodmill Road, got out and started shouting at another motorist.

On September 19, a man was driving his car and was accompanied by his eight-year-old son.

At the junction of Trondheim Parkway and Linburn Road, a silver Mercedes driven by Bocchino came from the left on to roundabout.

Bocchino then began following the man along various streets, driving very close behind and flashing his lights.

The man did not stop initially as he had his son in the car but as Bocchino continued to follow him in the same fashion, he eventually pulled over.

He told his son to stay in the car and he got out to speak to the driver.

Bocchino immediately started shouting and swearing at the man, accusing him of driving too fast at the roundabout.

He called the man a “f****** idiot” and “f****** Paki” before punching him to the left side of his face, knocking him to the ground.

The man later went to hospital for an X-ray and had suffered tissue damage under his ear.

Sheriff John MacRitchie imposed a restriction of liberty order for 54 days and a £360 fine. He also endorsed Bocchino’s driving licence with five penalty points.