A KINCARDINE man fell out with his dad at his mum's wake, then vandalised his father's home by throwing bricks after the funeral.

Steven Gary Galbraith, 42, of Landsdowne Crescent, also got behind the wheel while on drink or drugs, in a search for his dog which had run away.

Galbraith admitted that on January 27, at an address in Forth View, without reasonable excuse, he wilfully or recklessly destroyed or damaged property belonging to another, threw bricks and damaged windows and a door.

He also admitted to three further charges; that on the same date at Forth View, Landsdowne Crescent and elsewhere, he drove a car while holding a provisional licence; without insurance; and while unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

Fiscal depute Gary McMullan told Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday that witnesses in Forth View had become aware of a disturbance in the street around 10.30pm.

On looking out, they saw Galbraith had picked up “what appeared to be stones or similar” and throw them at his dad's home. He also seemed to be under the influence or alcohol and was staggering.

Mr McMullan said: “A short time later, witnesses observed him picking up several bricks and broken slabs which were lying in the garden.

“He was seen throwing these at his father's house. These caused damage to windows and the front door of the house.

“His father was in the house at the time and one of the witnesses heard him inform the accused that he was calling the police.”

Police were called at around 10.50pm and Galbraith was then seen heading to a car and trying to drive it down Forth View. 

His dad told officers that there had been a falling-out between them at his wife's wake.

It was also established that Galbraith had driven away in the car and checks revealed he had no insurance and only a provisional licence.

Shortly afterwards at the junction of Forth View and Toll Road, officers saw Galbraith walking towards them and detained him.

Mr McMullan added: “They observed him to be under the influence of alcohol. He was searched and the car keys were found on him.”

Galbraith was taken to Dunfermline Police Station but refused to co-operate with officers processing him under drink-driving procedures.

Solicitor James Moncrieff said it had been the day of Galbraith's mum's funeral and “quite a lot of alcohol had been consumed”.

In the course of the day, Galbraith and his dad fell out and the dog, which should have been at his dad's house, ran away.

Mr Moncrieff continued: “He wasn't happy about that and he thereafter vandalised his father's property. 

“He felt his dog had returned home and very foolishly decided to drive his father's car to his address. He left the car at his address with the intention of returning, then returned to his father's address on foot.

“It was the decision to find his dog that led him to do so. He's disgusted by his actions, especially in relation to what happened to his father.

“He had just lost his mum and his father had just lost his wife. He not only put himself in danger but also others.”

He said Galbraith – who has other road traffic offences – had since made amends with his dad and paid for the damage to the house.

Sheriff Eric Brown fined Galbraith £700 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months, backdated to February 24.

He also imposed a community payback order of 18 months' supervision, and ordered Galbraith to attend the road traffic offenders' programme.