A MAN required surgery for a broken jaw following an altercation in Cardenden.

The victim said he was acting as a peace-keeper when he was punched by Brian Milne, Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard.

Milne admitted the assault but claimed he too suffered a broken jaw and ribs. He also said his friend and that man’s wife were seriously injured with fractures.

Milne, 43, formerly of Denfield Avenue, Cardenden, but now of Glenrothes, had previously submitted a guilty plea by letter and sentence had been deferred for his personal appearance.

He admitted that on July 16, at Station Road, Cardenden, he assaulted the victim by punching him on the head to his injury.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said: “The injury suffered by the victim was a broken jaw. He required surgery and had a metal plate inserted.

“The complainer said he was standing between two men trying to defuse a fight. He said it would have been obvious to anyone as he was between them with his arms out.

“He was approached by the accused and struck once on the right side of the face. He then tried to hit him a second time and there was a struggle.

“(the complainer) walked away and felt something wasn’t right with his jaw.”

Milne, who was representing himself, said he too sustained a broken jaw and broken ribs during the incident.

He added: “My friend got a broken arm and his wife had a broken nose.”

He described his victim’s version of events as “a fabrication”.

Milne said he had now moved house following the incident and was living in Glenrothes.

Sheriff Alison McKay called for reports and sentencing will take place on April 11.