By Aileen Robertson

A DUNFERMLINE pensioner was in police custody last night after earlier he and his wife had been besieged by a gang of youths in their home.

Peter Welsh (67) and his wife Betty (63), of Lilac Grove, Pitcorthie, said the youngsters surrounded their home after a young man ran into their house to escape a rival mob.

The fleeing stranger managed to run to safety but the couple were subjected to a half-hour ordeal during which they said they were verbally abused, threatened and had plant pots hurled at their home.

Mr Welsh was being questioned last night in relation to alleged assault claims made by two of the youths.

Mrs Welsh said, “I’m devastated. I can’t understand it. I thought the police were coming here to let us know what’s happening.

“But two laddies are accusing him of assault now…and now he has been taken away.”

Speaking earlier, Mr Welsh had told The Courier he and his wife were about to sit down to dinner at around 8.30pm when they heard someone kicking the front door.

“When I opened the front door, somebody came in saying ‘get them away from me’. It turned out he was getting chased by whoever,” said Mr Welsh.

Another man tried to enter the house, but Mr Welsh managed to get him out.

He then described how plant pots were thrown at his front and back doors as his terrified wife called the police. While this was happening, the first man ran away.

At this point there were around 20 teenagers, many believed to be aged 12-15, on the street according to residents.

Yesterday, the outer pane of the couple’s double glazed door was in pieces and there were bits of broken plant pots in their front and back gardens.

Inspector John Jenks from Fife Constabulary said three or four calls were received about the disturbance.

As well as police officers, ambulance crew also attended and one youth was taken to Queen Margaret Hospital.

A 15-year-old has also been reported in relation to the disturbance.