A NOISE dispute between neighbours in Lochgelly ended in violence when a 59-year-old man “snapped”.

John Bryce, who had been drinking, went upstairs and punched his neighbour then tried to get into his flat in an incident just before Christmas.

As a result, Bryce, of Grainger Street, Lochgelly, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on December 22 at Grainger Street, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, repeatedly striking a door and attempting to gain entry to the property.

He also admitted assaulting a man by punching him on the head.

Depute fiscal, Claire Kennedy, said: “The background is an on-going issue about noise.

"At 3.30pm Mr Bryce went to his neighbour’s door. He banged on the door and the complainer asked ‘Who is it?’

“The accused said, ‘I’ve had enough of this f****** noise’. The complainer opened the door and the accused then punched him on the left side of his face.

“Mr Bryce then attempted to gain entry as he continued shouting and swearing but he was pushed back.”

Defence solicitor, James Moncrieff, said the complainer was his client’s upstairs neighbour.

He said: “The neighbour is quite a bit younger and it’s an on-going issue with noise. On that day, Mr Bryce had consumed alcohol, got to the end of his tether and snapped.”

Sheriff Derek Reekie asked: “Has he done anything about this noise issue apart from going upstairs and punching him?”

Mr Moncrieff answered: “He’s been in touch with the council but it’s difficult to get things done in these situations.”

Sheriff Reekie told Bryce: “I can understand this issue can cause considerable friction but this was not the way to deal with it.”

He deferred sentence until June 6 for Bryce to be of good behaviour.