A MAN was chased down the street by a work colleague brandishing a knife at him.

The two men had been drinking together just before Christmas before “banter” turned into violence.

The incident was witnessed by kids playing in the street and the “terrified” victim was later found shaking and in tears by police officers.

Carlo Scott, 24, of Westwood Crescent, Ballingry, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on December 21, at Southfield Avenue, Ballingry, he assaulted his victim by chasing him with a knife and presenting the knife at him.

Depute fiscal Katherine Fraser said: “The accused and complainer were work colleagues and were employed by the same company at the time.”

Scott had been in his home drinking with another friend and they had gone to a shop to buy more alcohol when they met the complainer, who joined them.

“They continued to consume alcohol and everything seemed to be going well until the accused became aggressive and knocked the complainer’s baseball cap off,” continued the depute.

“This annoyed the complainer, who asked him to stop, at which the accused squared up to him.

“The complainer said they were friends and he didn’t want to fight with him.”

Scott then chased the complainer from the house and along the street brandishing a kitchen knife at him.

“He was terrified and was pleading with the accused to drop the knife,” said the depute.

The incident was witnessed by two 13-year-old children who were playing in the street at the time, the court was told.

“They saw the knife was being pointed towards the complainer and they thought he was going to be stabbed.

“The complainer struck out at the accused’s hand and the knife was dropped.”

Police attended and found the complainer, who was “tearful and visibly shaking” added the depute.

Defence solicitor Larissa Milligan said: “They were having a drink together and it seems there was a bit of banter going back and forward, which led to an altercation in the house.

“Mr Scott says his partner was pushed and he lost his temper. He accepts he completely over-reacted and regrets his actions.”

Sheriff Keith O’Mahony imposed a community payback order with 300 hours of unpaid work.