POLICE were called after passers-by saw a young boy being kicked and dragged by a man in a public park.

The incident led to Ross Quinn appearing in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Quinn, of Cowdenbeath but currently living at Carnock Road, Gowkhall, said he had given the boy a “toe up the backside” when he was being difficult.

Quinn, 35, admitted that on August 24, at Broomfield Road, Cowdenbeath, he assaulted an eight-year-old boy, seized hold of him by the body and kicked him, causing him to fall.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said Quinn had been looking after the boy and his friend on the evening in question.

The youngsters had been playing on an Xbox until it was time for the friend to go home.

As the three of them walked towards the boy’s home, the other youngster ran away into a park.

Quinn went to bring him back and it was then that the offence occurred.

“Some people nearby heard the boy shouting: ‘Stop hurting me’. The accused took hold of the boy’s arm and was dragging him. He then kicked him forcibly causing him to fall,” added the depute.

“The witnesses made their way towards the accused and also contacted the police.”

Defence solicitor James Moncrieff said the boy had “run away into a public park where teenagers hang about and consume alcohol”.

He went on: “Mr Quinn describes it as having given him a ‘toe up the backside’.”

Sheriff Derek Reekie said: “We’ve heard the boy was forcibly kicked, causing him to fall. What does he mean by a toe up the backside?”

Quinn said from the dock: “A kick up the a***.”

Mr Moncrieff said: “There was no injury and the boy was being difficult.”

“That’s what eight-year-olds do,” replied the sheriff.

He added that he was also concerned about Quinn’s previous convictions. He deferred sentence until November 29 for reports.