A MAN has been sentenced after causing a gun scare at Cowdenbeath railway station and High Street.

Armed police officers were called to the scene after a woman sitting in her parked car became concerned by the behaviour of Peter Bell, who was in possession of what turned out to be a BB gun. He caused alarm to others at the station and other parts of the town as he moved the gun from pocket to pocket.

Bell, 24, formerly of Mackie Place, Dunfermline, and now of Saunders Road, Kirkcaldy, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He previously admitted that on April 23, at Cowdenbeath Railway Station, Station Road, and elsewhere in Cowdenbeath, he conducted himself in a disorderly manner by repeatedly exposing a BB gun, moving it about his person in a public place, causing fear and alarm and committed a breach of the peace.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said: “A female witness was in her car, parked in a spot where she could see into Cowdenbeath train station.

“She was taking a phone call when she observed the accused moving about the platform. He put a clip in the gun then put the gun in the back of his jeans.

“She watched him for five minutes before he walked off. Police were contacted and the accused was observed on CCTV walking in the High Street at around 8.30pm.

“Firearms officers were called to the scene and they stopped the accused.”

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said: “He did not appreciate how serious this matter was until the arrival of the armed officers, which was a stark reminder.

“He appreciates his actions would have been distressing for those who saw him.”

Sheriff James MacDonald imposed a community payback order with 130 hours of unpaid work.