AN assault in Cowdenbeath, which took place after memories of a previous attack had been triggered, resulted in an appearance in the dock for one man this week.

Gary Telfer punched his brother in the head and later brandished a baton at police officers at his mother's home.

He had been convicted of assaulting the same sibling, eight years ago, to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Telfer, 25, admitted that on February 10 this year, at a property in Factory Road, he assaulted his brother by repeatedly punching him on the head to his injury.

On the same day, Telfer, of Alexander Road, Glenrothes, behaved in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm at Forres Drive, Glenrothes, by shouting, swearing, acting in an aggressive manner and brandishing a baton.

While there, he also resisted, obstructed or hindered two police officers in the execution of their duty when he struggled violently with them, prevented handcuffs from being applied and attempted to free himself.

Depute Fiscal, Jennifer Graham, said the incident took place after both men – and a number of others – had been drinking and taking drugs.

An argument broke out and the brother took hold of a baton and hit him on the legs with it which resulted in Telfer repeatedly punching him, causing cuts to his head and nose.

Soon after, the victim phoned a friend and told her: "Gary smashed me, there's blood all over the house and I don't know what to do."

Police went to Telfer's mother's home in Glenrothes after she had called them to raise concern about both her sons. While they were there, Telfer came into the property and was in possession of baton which, on seeing the police officers, he dropped and made efforts to move it out of sight.

"At this point, the accused became aggressive saying he had been fighting with his brother and didn't wish to speak to the police," said Ms Graham.

"Police officers made efforts to calm him down and prevent him from leaving. He then grabbed the baton from the floor, went into the garden and began to wave and brandish the weapon towards the police officers."

Solicitor, Alexander Flett, said the baton had belonged to his client's brother who had used it initially.

"Although there was clearly a previous incident between the two some eight years ago, the parties generally got on reasonably well," he told the Court.

"He had gone to his brother's address on the night in question and it was supposed to be a gathering with just a few friends and parties were drinking together. However, Mr Telfer's brother had gone to the pub and returned with a group of others and after that, things took a turn for the worse."

Some of those present asked the brother about a scar he had and this "led to some offence being taken" as it had been a result of the previous assault.

"Since then, he has made substantial efforts to stay out of trouble," added Mr Flett. "He is disappointed to find himself in Court in respect of this matter."

Sheriff Craig McSherry placed Telfer on a restriction of liberty order for eight months.