Three high school pupils posted racially abusive comments about their teacher during a discussion on Facebook.

Callum Donald, Taylor Steele and Neil Trebble, all aged 17, made the grossly offensive comments about mixed-race Matthew Sykes.

The teenagers were "trying to be witty" with the remarks about Mr Sykes, a PE teacher at Inverkeithing High School in Fife, Dunfermline Sheriff Court was told.

The court heard they thought they all "got along" with Mr Sykes.

But Mr Sykes, who has family in Jamaica, was furious when he was told about what they had posted about him.

The court did not hear what the racist comments were. They were posted during a conversation they had on one of their Facebook pages outwith school. Mr Sykes was later made aware of the comments about him by another pupil and the school contacted police.

Donald, who had already left the school, was arrested along with the two others. Trebble was excluded for a period of time because of his involvement in the comments.

Shortly after being arrested the trio all wrote letters to the teacher apologising for what they done.

Donald, from Torryburn, Steele, from Dalgety Bay, and Trebble, from Inverkeithing, pleaded guilty to the charge.

They admitted that on November 14, 2011 at Inverkeithing High School they made comments on Facebook relating to Mr Sykes that were grossly offensive, or of an incident, obscene or menacing character in that they did post racially abusive remarks about him.

Zander Flett, representing Donald, said his client had now left the school.

He said: "My client is full of remorse and has hand written a letter to the complainer. It was never his intention to cause distress. It was also never his intention that any of these comments would be seen by anyone else, and especially that it would make its way back to the complainer."

He said Donald had a "good relationship" with Mr Sykes, and that the teacher was a "considerable help" to Donald in passing an examination.

He added: "His comments were foolish and indicative of his immaturity, and there was an element of showing off in the comments."

Mr Beatson, representing Steele, said the comments were a "poor attempt at being witty".

He said: "My client is genuinely upset about what has taken place especially considering the effect on the complainer. He is trying to get an apprenticeship in the army, and sentencing may delay his entry."

James Moncrieff, for Trebble, said the teenager was "very fond" of his teacher.

He said: "He showed a lack of knowledge about racism in his comments and is disgusted that he sent them.

"My client is still at school but was excluded as a result of these comments. It's been a steep learning curve. He still intends to go to university and later get a respectable job."

Sheriff Ian Dunbar put all three on a six month community payback order and ordered they receive education on racism.

He said: "It's quite clear from what has been said that this was an act of stupidity, brought on by some attempt to be funny.

"It also very clearly shows the dangers of Facebook. If you post something it can go public even if you don't intend it to do that.

"I accept you're all very remorseful and want to put it behind you. I believe a short community payback order, in which you can see someone who can educate you on racism and prejudice, would be beneficial for all of you."