Man admits Fife street shooting

COURT: 36-year-old fired pellet gun at woman in Sunday afternoon attack

A 36-year-old man has admitted shooting and seriously injuring a woman in a busy Kirkcaldy street.

Robert Speed had originally been charged with attempted murder after firing a pellet gun at the 47-year-old woman in Nicol Street, on an August Sunday afternoon.

Speed, a prisoner in Perth, appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

He admitted assaulting Shelagh Rashid on August 4 by presenting a pellet gun at her, discharging it and striking her to her severe injury and to the danger of her life.

He also pled guilty to brandishing a golf club, shouting and swearing and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, while acting with others.

Sentence was deferred on Speed by Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC until November 19, to allow a background report to be prepared and for his suitability to be assessed for a restriction of liberty order.

No details of the incident were given at the hearing but the court was told DVD footage will be shown and an account of events given when Speed returns for sentence.

Police confirmed at the time that they had responded to a report of disturbance at around 2pm in Nicol Street on August 4. Ms Rashid was taken to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy for treatment to her serious injuries. It is understood she later discharged herself.

When Speed first appeared in court on August 6, in private on a petition, he was accused of attempted murder.

Ryan Brown, 22, was also arrested and charged in connection with the incident and is due to appear separately at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court today.

A third person arrested was released without charge.