Neighbour punched in street row

A Kelty woman has been found guilty of assaulting a neighbour during an altercation in the street.

The victim was punched in the face then held her attacker in a headlock before being struck by a flying can when a row over who would be babysitting a child ended in violence.

The incident resulted in Debbie Hall, 27, of Netherton Gardens, going on trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

She denied that on October 19, at Netherton Gardens, she assaulted Sarah Smith by punching her on the head to her injury.

At a previous hearing, Ms Smith told the court she was punched in the face and had then restrained Hall in a headlock. She was then hit on the head with a can which was thrown at her.

When the trial resumed, Hall insisted that Ms Smith had lunged at her.

She said: “She came at me with her hands, going for my neck, but I ducked.

“She managed to grab me and then shoved my head in between her legs.”

Hall said she was held in that position for three minutes before Ms Smith released her grip after being hit by the tin.

“When I was getting up I saw she was coming at me again with her two hands.” It was at this point she said she punched Ms Smith saying: “I thought she was going to throttle me.”

Sheriff Charles MacNair found Hall guilty and deferred sentence until Thursday.