A WOMAN was assaulted by her male friend in her Lochgelly home after a drinking session.

Michael Russell later struggled violently with police officers.

Russell, 28, c/o Main Street, Lumphinnans, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on May 27 last year, at High Street, Lochgelly, he assaulted a woman by grabbing her by the throat and pinning her against a sofa.

Then, on May 28, he breached an undertaking not to contact the woman or enter High Street, Lochgelly.

On the same day, he tried to run away from police officers then struggled violently with them.

He further admitted he breached bail on May 11 this year when he entered High Street, Lochgelly.

Depute fiscal Laura McManus said that Russell and the woman had been friends for seven years and it was a “platonic” relationship.

They had been consuming alcohol together at the woman’s home when an argument started and she asked him to leave.

He refused to do so and grabbed her by the neck, pushing her onto a sofa. She broke free and kicked out at him.

Russell had been arrested following the incident but was released at 3am on an undertaking that he did not contact the woman or go to her street.

Within an hour, he had breached this with the woman calling the police to say Russell was back at her home.

When police arrived, Russell tried to run off but was apprehended then began to lash out with his arms and legs.

He was handcuffed and taken back to the police station.

Defence solicitor Aime Allan said: “He realises he’s in court because they were drinking too much on this occasion and that the breaches were stupidity.”

She said he had been living at his mum’s home in Lumphinnans but was currently homeless and “sofa-surfing”.

Sheriff Wylie Robertson imposed a community payback order with 140 hours of unpaid work and 15 months of supervision.