Woman sentenced for punching neighbour in street row

A Kelty woman who punched her neighbour during a row in the street has been sentenced for the assault.

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 baby-sitting her child ended in violence.

Debbie Hall (27), of Netherton Gardens, was found guilty after a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

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

The victim 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.

Hall told the court a different version of events saying Ms Smith had lunged at her.

“She came at me with her hands going for my neck but I ducked. She managed to grab me and shoved my head in between her legs,” she claimed.

Hall said she was held in that position for three minutes before the woman 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 the woman saying, “I thought she was going to throttle me.”

Sheriff Charles MacNair found Hall guilty. When she returned to court for sentencing, the sheriff imposed a six-month restriction of liberty order. Hall was also ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victim.