A MAN, who attacked a shop assistant after being caught shoplifting, has avoided further jail time.

Kyle Bowes was spotted stealing booze worth more than £100 in a shop in Lochgelly.

When challenged by a shop worker, Bowes brandished one of the stolen bottles and tried to hit him with it.

Kyle Bowes, 25, of Julien Road, Glenrothes, but currently in jail, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on July 11, at the Co-op Group, Bank Street, he stole a quantity of alcohol.

He also admitted that he assaulted the shop worker acting in the course of his employment by brandishing a bottle, challenging him to a fight and attempting to strike him with the bottle.

Depute fiscal Jennifer Graham said that between 6-6.30pm, the victim was working in the shop and observing CCTV when he saw Bowes placing bottles of alcohol in a bag.

He told a colleague and they pursued Bowes to the front of the shop.

The shop worker challenged the thief, saying: “Where are you going with that?”

Bowes went closer to the door, brandishing a vodka bottle and then swung it towards the shop worker.

The depute said the value of the alcohol stolen by Bowes was £105.85.

Defence agent David Bell said: “This was a poor reaction to him being caught shoplifting. He was taking heroin and other substances at the time. This was stealing items to sell on.

“The incident was obviously concerning for those who were simply doing their job.”

The solicitor admitted his client had a lengthy record and was currently in jail, having been sentenced in October for housebreaking, with a release date of April 27.

Sheriff Pino Di Emidio imposed a community payback order with one year’s supervision. He called for a review on July 11, after his release from jail, when the issue of unpaid work could be considered.