A Cowdenbeath woman who violently attacked a female neighbour has refused to pay a fine.

Unemployed Wendy Guthrie, 50, of Rosehill Crescent, said she could not afford to pay the £650 penalty seconds after it was imposed at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

She admitted that on August 9 at Rosehill Crescent she assaulted a woman by seizing her hair, dragging her to the ground and striking her on the body with her knee.

She also shouted, swore, made threats of violence and kicked out towards police officers after being arrested.

Depute fiscal Catherine Stevenson said that at around 8pm a local resident was outside his home cleaning his motorbike and doing some work on it.

The noise from the bike seemed to have attracted the attention of Guthrie who went to her window and shouted out at the man, swearing at him and insulting him.

She then shouted some more abuse before going outside where she attacked a female neighbour who had gone out to see what was happening.

The assault was broken up but Guthrie continued to make threats.

Defence solicitor Amy Harley said: “There have been on-going neighbour issues for three years. There has been a noise issue with one neighbour and things got out of hand.

“It ended up with all the neighbours out in the street. She’s embarrassed about her actions.”

She added that her client was intoxicated at the time and has an alcohol addiction issue.

After being told that Guthrie receives benefits of £290 every fortnight, Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a fine of £650.

However, from the dock Guthrie said she could not afford to pay a fine. She asked the sheriff: “Have you tried to pay bills off that money?”

Sheriff McSherry then called for reports and Guthrie will be sentenced again on October 4.