A SHERIFF has agreed to alter the boundaries of a restriction of liberty order this week to allow a Lochgelly man to care for his children in their garden.

Michael Wilson, 31, of South Street, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday to request changes to his punishment.

As well as increasing its boundaries, he also asked permission to take two week's holiday which he had forgotten to mention when he had been sentenced.

He had previously been placed on the order after admitting resisting, obstructing or hindering two police officers in execution of their duty and struggling violently with them at South Street, Lochgelly on October 8 last year.

Between South Street and Dunfermline Police Station, he also behaved in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm by shouting, swearing, uttering abusive remarks and threatening police officers.

Wilson's solicitor, Sarah Meehan, said one of her client's children  sometimes needed to be outside in the evening.

As his partner worked night shift, the current restrictions meant he was unable to go into the garden and check what their children were doing and bring them in.

Sheriff Alison McKay expressed some concerns about changing the restrictions.

"This order was imposed as a direct alternative to custody," she said. "It is meant to be a punishment. It is meant to be inconvenient. The charges are serious charges."

She agreed to authorise the changes and agreed to allow the holiday, adding its 10 days duration to the end of the sentence.