AN INCIDENT between neighbours led to a woman banging on a door and shouting racist abuse.

The victims were an Asian couple who had been given temporary accommodation in council housing.

Hayley Rodger, 35, of Pentland Terrace, High Valleyfield, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

She admitted that on July 16, at Pentland Terrace, she acted in a racially-aggravated manner to the couple by shouting, swearing, striking a door repeatedly and making a racial remark.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said: “The complainers had been living in temporary accommodation provided by Fife Council. They are of Asian origin.

“At 4.45pm, (the complainer) left his flat to visit a friend. When he came back, his wife was on the balcony and she told him there had been an argument with the accused.

“As (the complainer) walked towards his home, the accused was in an adjacent building and shouted: ‘Yeah, you run’.

“(The complainer) asked her to be quiet and he went into his communal entrance.”

Rodger then went to the family’s home. She was shouting, swearing and started banging on their door. As she left, she said: ‘Black c***’.

When police were contacted and spoke to her, she said: “It wasn’t meant the way it was said.”

Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said: “Her position is this was said in the heat of the moment.

“There had been ongoing issues between the complainers and other neighbours. This was mainly about the female constantly shouting from the balcony.”

He added his client was “very apologetic” about her actions.

The court was told the Asian family had since moved elsewhere.

Sheriff Derek Reekie said, “Whatever was going on, there was no place for this vile comment. I hope this will be a lesson to you that no matter what frustrations you’re feeling, this is no way to act.”

The sheriff fined Rodger £320.