Reversed car at rival during street confrontation
A drug addict who drove his car at a neighbour during a confrontation in a Kirkcaldy street has been jailed.
Stefan Hunter (30), currently a prisoner at Glenochil, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court where he was also sentenced for a shoplifting spree where he repeated targeted the same store.
Hunter admitted that on 13th August at Tiree Place, Kirkcaldy, he assaulted a man by driving a car at him requiring him to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.
He also admitted driving his car dangerously, swerving across the road, reversed at excessive speed, collided with and damaged a parked vehicle.
Hunter further admitted a string of shoplifting offences.
On 29th September at Boots, Central Retail Park, he stole a quantity of razor blades and cosmetic sets.
On 3rd October, at the same store he stole razor blades.
On 17th and 18th October he stole fragrance sets from the same shop.
He returned there again on 19th, 20th and 21st October stealing more fragrance sets.
Depute fiscal Sarah Lumsden said that during the confrontation the other man was in the street bare-chested shouting at Hunter who then drove at him.
The man had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. Hunter then crashed into a parked car before driving off and the police were contacted.
The depute said that items valued at over £1242 were stolen by Hunter during his visits to Boots.
Defence solicitor Scott McKenzie said his client’s shoplifting was to pay off drug debt as he was a heroin addict.
On the driving incident, he said Hunter was staying with his girlfriend at the time and the complainer was a neighbour.
“The incident seems to have started over something as childish as a rumour that Mr Hunter had said he could beat him in a fight,” added Mr McKenzie.
His client had been frightened when confronted and had panicked, said the solicitor.
“He then lost control of the vehicle and struck a car at the side of the road. The bumpers then became stuck together and he was revving the engine to free his car.
“He was quite scared of the situation he found himself in.”
Sheriff Charles MacNair jailed Hunter for a total of 331 days and banned him from driving for 18 months.
