A Cowdenbeath offender saw a woman lying drunk on the ground but instead of helping her he stole her handbag.

The lowlife thief was 34-year-old Darren Johnstone, who was jailed when he appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Johnstone, of King Street, Cowdenbeath, appeared by video-link from prison.

He admitted that on 12th July at the Co-op store, Lauder Road, Kirkcaldy, he stole a handbag containing a mobile phone, £500 in cash and multiple bank cards.

The same day he breached bail conditions banning him from being in the company of a named male.

Later that day at Smeaton Gardens, Kirkcaldy, he threw bricks at windows breaking them.

Then on 13th July, at the Victoria Hospital, he assaulted a police officer by striking him with his head.

He also admitted that between 29th June and 3rd July at his home he breached a non-harassment order when was in the company of a named female.

The two-year order had been imposed on 28th February.

Depute fiscal Brogan Moffat told the court that a woman had been drinking with a friend and had gone to the shop to buy cigarettes.

However, because she was so intoxicated she ended up lying on the ground unconscious near the shop.

Johnstone came along, saw the woman lying there and ran off with her handbag.

Police recovered CCTV footage which captured the incident in full.

Johnstone then went to the home of his male companion, in breach of a court order to stay away from him.

When they got there an argument broke out and Johnstone responded by throwing bricks at the house, breaking two windows.

He was later arrested by police and taken to the Victoria Hospital where he became agitated, lashed out with his head and struck an officer on the chest.

Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said his client did not recall the theft.

Sheriff Susan Duff jailed Johnstone for 16 months.