Fife man threatened to kill boy

A Fife man grabbed a schoolboy by the throat and threatened to kill him after taking offence at comments the youngster had made.

The incident led to an appearance at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for Kevin Clark, 31, of Union Street, Kelty.

He admitted that on September 1 at Centre Street, Kelty, he assaulted a 13-year-old boy by seizing him by the throat, compressing his throat, restricting his breathing and threatening to kill him.

Depute fiscal Jane Rennie said the incident began at a bonfire event held in a back garden.

Clark had become involved in an argument with the boy and became angry at “cheeky” comments he had been making.

“He grabbed hold of the front of his neck and said ‘I’m going to murder you’,” added the depute fiscal. The boy screamed loudly as a result.

Defence solicitor James Moncrieff explained that the comments made by the youth had been about his client’s daughter and his deceased parents, which had upset him.

Sheriff Craig McSherry noted Clark had denied committing the offence when speaking to social workers about the incident.

Mr Moncrieff replied: “He says he panicked when he was speaking to social work and put forward untruths.”

Sheriff McSherry deferred sentence on Clark until August 15 for him to be of good behaviour.