A DRUNKEN row which led to a passer-by having to intervene resulted in a restriction of liberty order this week for Cowdenbeath man Aaron Welsh.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Welsh, 39, of Arthur Place, had earlier admitted that on February 10 at High Street and Broad Street, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm when he shouted, swore and acted in an aggressive manner.

He also plead guilty to a charge of breaching a bail condition on February 13 preventing him from contacting his former partner.

Depute Fiscal, Azrah Yousaf, said the accused and the woman had been in a relationship for three months and, on the date of the offence, they had both been drinking and were heavily intoxicated.

A witness who had got off a train at Cowdenbeath and was waiting for a lift in the High Street became aware of the couple shouting at each other.

He saw Welsh go "face to face" with the woman and became concerned and asked if she was ok however Welsh told him to go away.

"He was concerned and walked behind them," said Ms Yousaf. "Welsh continued to behave in an aggressive manner towards the woman and repeatedly shouted at her and she was telling him to leave her alone.

"The man became more concerned and intervened and told the accused to leave the female alone."

Several days later, Welsh committed the breach of bail offence after he was apprehended by police who had received information he was at the woman's house.

Solicitor, Stephen Morrison, said the relationship has now ended. "Mr Welsh appears to have a lack of insight into accepting full responsibility – his answer is we were both at fault," he told the Court. "He had simply wanted his house keys and she refused to give him them."

Sheriff Charles Macnair said Welsh's behaviour had been serious enough to attract the attention of someone who considered it necessary to intervene.

"From what I have heard, that was an entirely accurate decision – he should be commended for that," he told Welsh.

He placed him on a restriction of liberty order for a total of eight months and ten days.