A woman seeing her car being stolen in a Dunfermline street went to challenge the thief and was violently attacked by him in a “terrifying” incident.
The next day, the culprit was released from custody, entered the home of a complete stranger and was apprehended by police nearby carrying an offensive weapon, Dunfermline Sheriff Court has heard.
Ray Smith, 40, of Mercer Place, Dunfermline, admitted that in that street on August 6 he stole a car, assaulted a woman trying to prevent him from stealing it, seizing her by the hair and body to her injury. He also admitted causing damage to the car by repeatedly kicking the windscreen.
The next day after being released on bail Smith was again arrested. On this occasion he walked into the home of a stranger and when police apprehended him shortly afterwards he was carrying a pointed stick.
Depute fiscal Peter Motion said that on August 7 paramedics were in a house on Appin Crescent when Smith walked in.
They were told he was not known to the occupier and the police were contacted. Smith left the scene but officers found him nearby carrying a pointed piece of wood a foot long.
Defence agent Sarah Meehan said her client had spent some time previously in hospital with mental health illness.
“He had been taking legal highs which had an impact on his mental health, he tells me. This may go some way to explaining his bizarre behaviour,” added the solicitor.
“He appreciates this would have been a terrifying incident for the woman.”
Sentencing Smith to eight months in prison, Sheriff Charles Macnair said: “This must have been a terrifying experience for the complainer.
“You get inside her car and when she acts to prevent you from stealing it, you assault her to her injury and then damage the car.
“You are released on bail on August 7 and that same day you commit the offence of having an offensive weapon.
“Even having regard to your mental health problems which seems to be drug-induced psychosis, brought on by yourself, there seems to me to be no alternative to a custodial sentence.”