A COWDENBEATH man spat in his mother's face after a drunken row.

Daniel Dodds had reacted after two incidents where his life decisions had been brought into question and his actions have now resulted in him being ordered to do unpaid work.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Dodds, 29, of Union Street, had previously admitted that on June 6 at a house in Hilton View, Lumphinnans, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner when he shouted, swore and repeatedly punched holes in doors.

On December 22, at the location, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner when he shouted, swore, made abusive remarks, repeatedly punch holes in doors and smashed a glass.

He also assaulted his mother by repeatedly spitting in her face.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the first offence took place after Dodds, his mother and a neighbour had been consuming alcohol in a garden.

"The conversation started to change with the accused's mother and neighbour nagging him about his previous life choices and belittling him that he was still not independent at his age," she told the Court.

"he accused went away from the garden to his bedroom. A short while later, they tried to engage the accused into conversation. He indicated he didn't want to talk to them so they continued to goad him. An argument took place between the accused and his mother. The accused at that point seemed to lose his temper."

The other incident took place after they had been at a pub. His mother had come home earlier and, on Dodds' return, another argument developed.

Dodds came in and started to get angry with her calling her things including a "skank" and telling her she was a hopeless mother.

He stood over her and spat twice in her face.

During the incident, Dodds went into the bedroom where he threw a glass. He also punched holes in the living room and bedroom doors.

Solicitor Fraser Napier said his client felt "belittled" by the way he had been spoken to.

"The living circumstances had been difficult between the complainer and the accused," he said. "The argument reached a climax when the complainer referred to his life style decisions. There was no pre planning involved in either of the offences."

Sheriff Charles Macnair placed Dodds on a community payback order with supervision for two years and a requirement to do 135 hours of unpaid work within six months.

"It was two offences committed against a member of your family," he said. "I accept there was some verbal provoking of you on June 6 but certainly there seems to be far less excuse in relation to December 22.

"In particular there is no excuse whatsoever for assaulting her by spitting on her which is a deplorable offence."