A COWDENBEATH man sold off a tablet belonging to his partner then claimed it had been stolen.

The incident led to an appearance at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for Gabriel Cusick, who claimed he was trying to help out his brother.

Cusick, 29, of Walker Street, Cowdenbeath, admitted that on December 4, he made a false statement to police saying that he had been a victim of theft, wasting police time and services.

Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said: “He sold a tablet that belonged to his partner. It was one she didn’t use regularly.

“His brother needed money as a matter of urgency. It was then noticed by his partner that the tablet had gone.

“He said someone else had stolen it and police were called but it became clear that he had sold the item.

“The long and short of it was he was perhaps more frightened of his partner than the police.”

Cusick, who is unemployed, was fined £300.