A LOCHORE man sent homophobic messages to his own mother after she refused to give him any more money.

Kenneth New kept approaching his mother for money but when she refused to help any more he sent her barrage of abuse.

His mother had been in a same-sex relationship for 25 years before her partner died of cancer two years ago.

New, 34, of Waverley Place, previously admitted that on May 17 at Kirkland Park, Ballingry, he did send, by means of a public electronic communications network messages to his mother, that were grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character, in that you did swear and repeatedly utter offensive and homophobic remarks, and it will be proved that the aforesaid offence was aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation.

Depute fiscal, Jade Doig, told Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Wednesday that New deeply regretted saying what he did when interviewed by police.

Defence solicitor, Ian Beatson, said: "Mr New has been suffering from a number of health issues. He does not have a very good relationship with his mother because of issues carried over from his childhood.

"He was subject to homophobic abuse when he was younger and he knows as well as anyone else how horrible those remarks are.

"The 10 year relationship with the mother of his child has broken down and he is currently sofa surfing."

Sheriff Derek Reekie told New: "You described these messages as vile. The fact that you would send them to anyone is one thing but send to send them to your own mother is offensive in itself.

"However, I can see that there is a deep rooted background to this."

New was made subject to a supervision order for 12 months.