A MUSSELBURGH man who assaulted one of his neighbours during a street disturbance has been placed on a a community payback order.

Daniel McNeill acted aggressively and shouted and swore towards neighbours Robert Morison and Carolyn Laing after he became involved in an argument.

McNeill ran towards his two neighbours and tried to make his way into their home at the town’s Hercus Loan in July last year.

The 22-year-old kicked out at a front door of the property before he assaulted Mr Morison by punching him on the head, causing the man to fall to the ground.

The police were alerted and, following his arrest, McNeill was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment where he continued to act in an aggressive manner.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told McNeill, of Hercus Loan, repeatedly shouted, swore and uttered abusive remarks and threats to police officers while at the capital hospital.

McNeill pleaded guilty to the three offences when he appeared at the city centre court earlier this year and he was back in the dock for sentencing on Monday.

Sheriff Robert Fife sentenced the offender to complete 270 hours of unpaid work in the community as punishment for his outbursts.

McNeill pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and to assaulting Robert Morison at Hercus Loan, Musselburgh, on July 9 last year.

He also admitted to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and issuing threats towards police officers at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on the same date.