A COWDENBEATH woman who assaulted the mother of an ex partner after going to challenge him over abusive messages found herself at Dunfermline Sheriff Court this week.

Appearing for sentencing on Wednesday, Michelle Waugh, 33, of Ballingry Crescent, had previously admitted that on 17 March 2017 at a house in Malcolm Street, she behaved in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm by repeatedly shout, swear and utter threats of violence.

She also assaulted a woman by seizing her by the hair, pulling her hair, throwing her to the ground and uttering threats of violence.

Depute Fiscal, Claire Bremner, heard Waugh had gone to the house and demanded to see her ex partner. His mother had answered the door and noticed Waugh was intoxicated and told her she was not welcome.

She then went round the back and shouted to her ex who eventually came down and attempted to calm her down. This resulted in an argument and the mother attempted to intervene by standing in between the two. Waugh then grabbed her by the hair, threw her onto the ground and began shouting she was going to kill her.

Growing concerned for the woman's safety, a neighbour who had been disturbed by the incident came out and restrained Waugh and attempted to calm her down.

When Police arrived, she continued to act in an extremely aggressive manner and shouted and swore at them.

Solicitor, James Moncrieff, said Waugh had been sent abusive messages from her ex partner.

"She attended, under the influence of alcohol which she accepts was a foolish thing to do, in the hope he would stop sending her messages and things escalated from there," he added.

Sheriff Craig McSherry said it had been in his mind to impose a custodial sentence however, as a direct alternative, he was prepared to make her subject to a community payback order where she would have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work within nine months.