A MAN was warned he was “very close to a custodial sentence” after committing his FOURTH offence against his ex.

Dean Haley (30), attacked the woman in Derran Drive, Cardenden, as she was going to a takeaway with friends on 4th September last year.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Wednesday, Haley pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman, seizing her by the body and pulling her to the ground.

Fiscal depute Sam Johnston said the woman – with whom Haley has two children aged six and four – had been driving to a takeaway with friends.

When she stopped, Haley was in the vehicle behind her and came up to her vehicle. He carried out the attack, then returned to his car and drove away.

The matter was reported to the police and he was later detained.

Solicitor, Kerr Sneddon, said it was a “relatively minor charge” and there was no injury to the former partner.

He said Haley and the woman had a “volatile” relationship, adding, “She’s sworn and shouted at him and pushed him but he’s not called the police.” However, Sheriff Charles Macnair, responded, “If this was in isolation, I might have satisfied that this could be treated as a minor matter.

“But this is the fourth offence you’ve committed against your former partner.” Sheriff Macnair also pointed out that when sentences had been deferred in the past, Haley had failed to be of good behaviour.

He continued, “The first time you were; the second time you weren’t. Then you were placed on a community payback order which you proceeded to breach.

“You’re very close to serving a custodial sentence for any offence committed against your former partner.” He imposed a community payback order with 18 months’ supervision and 135 hours of unpaid work. Haley will also have to attend the Positive Relationships groupwork programme.