By Lars Niven

THREE BOYS have been reported by the police in connection with an incident in which a disabled pensioner was knocked from his scooter in Dunfermline.

Hope Cairns had just set out to walk his dogs when his path was blocked by a group of youths in Rex Park.

The 87-year-old, who spent three-and-a-half years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, was pushed to the ground during the incident, which happened on August 1.

Mr Cairns, a retired coachbuilder, was left lying helpless on the ground and had to be helped back on to his scooter by passers-by.

The youths ran off laughing.

The attack shocked many people in the Fife town and detectives always hoped that sense of outrage would help them find those responsible.

Uniformed officers carried out door-to-door inquiries and extra foot patrols were mounted in the town’s Woodmill area.

Despite feeling sore from the fall, Mr Cairns refused to let the incident ruin his life and was out and about the next day.

Police yesterday confirmed three boys from Dunfermline, aged nine, 11 and 12, would be made the subject of a report to the Reporter to the Children’s Panel.

The officer leading the investigation, PC Melanie Porter, said, “This was a particularly nasty assault on a defenceless disabled man.

“It is only by good fortune that he did not sustain serious injury.”

She thanked the public for their help and said they had provided valuable information.