By Aileen Robertson

POLICE have apologised for the way they handled an incident in Dunfermline which resulted in a pensioner being charged with assault for defending his own home.

Peter Welsh (67), of Lilac Grove, was arrested and charged after two boys, aged 12 and 14, made complaints against him.

The previous evening he and his wife Betty (63) had been besieged in their house by around 20 teenagers.

Chief Inspector Bob Baker admitted officers had not conducted themselves appropriately.

And he told The Courier the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

Yesterday, Mr Welsh spoke of his relief at the charges against him being dropped.

“It has taken us a while to get over it—more so my wife—but we are starting to get back to normal. Hopefully, at Christmas, everything will fit together,” he said.

The disturbance at the couple’s home happened on Saturday, October 27. A young man, who they believed was trying to flee a rival gang, ran into their house. For the next half hour, Mr and Mrs Welsh were verbally abused, threatened and had plant pots hurled at their home.

Their front door was smashed and Mrs Welsh was left badly shaken.

However, late the following day Mr Welsh was taken to Dunfermline police station and questioned after the complaints were made.

Mr Welsh said, “I still say the case was not handled in a proper manner.

“On the evening it happened they threatened me with arrest and threatened my daughter with arrest because she wanted into the house.

“There didn’t seem to be any organisation and, despite the amount of police in the street, they didn’t seem to have the situation under control.

“We were the victims in this and all of a sudden I turned out to be the criminal. The next day they dragged me out of the house at 10 o’clock at night. I wanted to get someone down to look after my wife, who had just had a terrifying experience the night before, but they would not let me use the phone.

“She ended up getting a neighbour out of bed to be with her until her daughter could get here.

“I ended up in the police station, not knowing why I was there.”

Yesterday, the Crown Office confirmed no further action would be taken against Mr Welsh.

A spokesman said, “After full and careful consideration of all the facts and circumstances in this case, it was concluded that there should be no proceedings.”

Chief Inspector Baker, who has met Mr Welsh and local councillor Tony Martin, said, “We do accept that the incident was not dealt with by our officers to the high standards I would normally expect.

“The investigation into this matter is continuing and any learning issues will be raised with the officers concerned.

“We are bound by the Scottish Crime Recording Standard to investigate all complaints. However, I acknowledge that we should have treated Mr Welsh and his family with more care and understanding.

“Subsequent to this incident, our community officers have focused their operations on the Pitcorthie area, including the use of mobile CCTV cameras, which has resulted in the detention of three youths due to their behaviour. We will also be using anti-social behaviour legislation to take further action...

“In addition, we are keeping Mr Welsh informed of all developments and I will be contacting him to extend my apologies on behalf of the force.”