A LOCHGELLY woman who assaulted a 15-year-old girl in Cowdenbeath has been sentenced.

The victim was pulled to the ground, punched and kneed in the head.

Cheryl Dryburgh, 37, of South Street, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

She previously admitted that on February 24 last year, at Hall Street, Cowdenbeath, she assaulted a girl then aged 15 by pulling her to the ground and punching and kneeing her to the head.

She also admitted shouting and swearing at two community safety officers, uttered offensive, racial remarks and acted aggressively.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said the victim had attended a funfair in Cowdenbeath with friends.

“The accused approached the complainer, pulled her to the ground then punched and kneed her to the head before the incident was broken up,” added the depute.

Dryburgh later told police: “She hit me first so she got skelped.”

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said the two females involved were known to each other.

He said his client’s version of events was that she saw the girl fighting with a male and pulled her off.

His client was then “skelped” by the girl and reacted to this. “She was under the influence of a significant amount of vodka as well as Valium. She’s ashamed of her behaviour,” added Mr Morrison.

The court heard Dryburgh was already on a community payback order. Sheriff James MacDonald imposed a nine-week restriction of liberty order.