A KELTY man started punching his wife during a drunken row in their home.

Keith Greenslade, 43, now of Deas Wharf, Kirkcaldy, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on July 2, at his then home in Kelty, he assaulted his wife by punching her arm several times to her injury.

Depute fiscal Amy Robertson said the couple had been married for 15 years.

Greenslade left the house that day saying he was going to the shops but went to a bar instead, returning home at around 6pm.

He was described as being intoxicated but happy and relaxed at that time.

The couple consumed alcohol together that evening and later on an argument started about a female friend of theirs, the court was told.

He shouted at his wife: “You’re f****** jealous and insane.”

She was sitting on the sofa when Greenslade lunged forward, punching her on the arm several times.

She curled up in a ball to defend herself and the police were called shortly afterwards.

Officers arrived and saw bruising to her arm.

Greenslade, defending himself, said his wife suffered from mental health difficulties and that they were both drunk at the time.

He added: “I wholeheartedly regret what I did. I lost my temper. I shouldn’t have done it.” He said they planned to have a period of separation.

Sheriff Robert More deferred sentence until November 9 for Greenslade to be of good behaviour.