AN ARGUMENT between pensioners over an old photograph turned violent in Cardenden.

John McPherson was drunk when he turned up at the door of Joan Watson, looking for her husband, who had misplaced the borrowed photo.

When told he was not home, McPherson refused to leave, started shouting and swearing and when the 72-year-old woman phoned the police, he spat on her.

John McPherson, 66, of Balgreggie Park, Cardenden, went on trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court where he was found guilty of two charges.

On January 9, at Westfield Brae, Cardenden, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner, acted in an aggressive manner, swore, uttered threats of violence and spat on Joan Watson.

He was also found guilty of assaulting John Watson by punching him on the head.

Mrs Watson told the court she was at home at around 3.15pm when the incident began.

“I answered the door to find a very angry and drunk man,” she said.

“I didn’t know he was. He asked to speak to my husband and I told him he wasn’t home but would be coming home soon.

“He started swearing. He said my husband was a ‘f****** liar’ and he was going to knock his head off. I told him to go away but he wouldn’t.”

Mrs Watson said she then phoned the police and as she did so, McPherson spat on her.

Five minutes later, her husband returned home and “there was lots of shouting and swearing.” The witness said she saw McPherson throwing two punches at her husband, one of which hit him.

Defence solicitor Gordon Martin said his client was a single man, retired and had no previous convictions.

“This incident occurred over an item of great sentimental value to him, a photograph of Bowhill Rovers football team with his father in it.

“Rightly or wrongly he doesn’t think the photograph was misplaced.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry told McPherson: “It would appear the offences are out of character.” He fined him £600.