Man jailed for ‘opportunistic’ attack and theft from victim

A man was brutally attacked and robbed as he was walking home after a night out in Glenrothes.

David Purves, 36, was jailed for two years and 265 days at Dunfermline Sheriff Court after he admitted his part in the assault.

Purves, a prisoner at Perth, assaulted Darren Paul by knocking him to the ground and punching and kicking him on the head at South Parks Road on April 14.

He searched through Mr Paul’s pockets, ripping them, struggled with him and robbed him of a mobile phone, wallet and its contents.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the victim had been drinking alcohol at a friend’s house and had gone home around 2am after starting to feel unwell.

He was sitting on the pavement when he was attacked by Purves, who knocked him on his back then punched and kicked him on the face as he lay on the ground.

The depute said: “He then felt his jeans pockets being pulled out causing them to be ripped.

“His wallet including his bank card and his phone were stolen.

“He was bleeding from his face, had grazed legs and had also lost his house keys. This meant he couldn’t get into his home and so went to his mother’s.”

Purves’s DNA was found on a torn pocket. He also took photos using the victim’s phone.

Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said the offence was “opportunistic”.