AN alcoholic, who fell off the wagon, racially abused a Lochgelly shop owner who refused to sell him alcohol.

Francis Reynolds tried to buy alcohol before the legal time retailers are allowed to sell.

In response, he threatened violence towards the owner of Kooner Grocers.

Reynolds, 57, of Drummond Square, Lochgelly, previously admitted that on September 5, at Kooners Grocers, Auchterderran Road, he acted in a racially aggravated manner, which caused or was intended to cause alarm or distress to a male by shouting, swearing, uttering threats of violence and uttering racist comments.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard that Reynolds entered the shop at around 8.30am and spoke to the owner asking to purchase some alcohol.

The owner advised him that he could not sell alcohol until 10am which angered the accused, Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said.

He became aggressive towards the owner, shouting and swearing and said: "come outside and I will beat you up".

"The owner became uneasy and didn't know what the accused would do," Mr Kapadia said.

Reynolds continued with the abused and called the owner a "black b*****".

This was overheard by a man who was a road worker and had been carrying out duties by the shop for some time.

Reynolds then left the shop and the police were called.

They reviewed CCTV and found a vehicle that was traced to the accused's address.

He told police that he realised he had made a mistake.

Defence solicitor, Ian Beatson, explained that his client was "essentially an alcoholic".

"He has remained alcohol-free for a number years," he said.

"Unfortunately, his father was diagnosed with cancer last year and passed away.

"There has also been a number of deaths of friends and family recently and he had is own health issues.

"This was essentially a binge on his part.

"Following this he has told me that he stopped consuming alcohol.

"He said he has been going to the shop for 15 years and reflected that through his actions caused distress and ruined the relationship with the owner.

"It was quite clear that he is ashamed of himself and is now back on the wagon."

Sheriff James MacDonald imposed a fine of £300.