A young man with a history in local youth politics and a notable online presence, Kenzie Goddard, has been granted bail after a tense stand-off with police in his Perth city centre flat. The incident, which unfolded on Tay Street, saw Mr. Goddard make alarming threats, including setting his property ablaze with a makeshift flamethrower.
The confrontation, which occurred on July 28 of this year, began when police attended Mr. Goddard’s residence in response to a domestic disturbance complaint. Upon their arrival, the situation quickly escalated. Instead of cooperating, Mr. Goddard launched into a verbal tirade against the officers, interspersing his aggressive remarks with derogatory comments targeting disability.
The teenager barricaded himself inside, refusing to open the door. Police attempted to communicate with him through the letterbox, but their efforts were met with hostility as he threw plates at the door from within. The situation intensified when Mr. Goddard, brandishing a knife, threatened to harm himself and ignite his flat. He demonstrated his intent by spraying an aerosol can and lighting it, creating a dangerous and volatile ‘flamethrower’ effect. Previous Incident and Courtroom Concerns
This is not the first time Mr. Goddard’s actions have drawn significant police attention and public scrutiny. In a previous incident on March 14, 2024, he triggered an armed police response after being sighted with a replica BB gun near Perth Prison. He later admitted to this, explaining that he was filming a TikTok video at the time. This prompted a judge to urge him to make “better life choices.”
During that earlier case, a fiscal depute commented on Mr. Goddard’s “bizarre fascination with the police and prison service.” His defence solicitor attributed his behaviour to “gross immaturity” rather than malicious intent. However, Sheriff Krista Johnston expressed her concern at the time, noting that Mr. Goddard appeared to enjoy “courting some kind of social media attention” and had used it in “concerning means.” Legal Proceedings and Community Impact
At a recent appearance at Perth Sheriff Court, Kenzie Goddard, now 19, admitted to charges of acting in a threatening or abusive manner on Tay Street, aggravated by anti-disability bigotry. The charges specifically covered his aggressive shouting and swearing, his refusal to comply with police demands to open the door, the hurling of plates, and his dangerous threats of self-harm and arson using the improvised device.
The court has deferred sentencing to allow for background reports to be prepared. He has been released on bail, awaiting the next stage of proceedings. The repeated nature of these incidents, particularly those involving public safety concerns and challenges to law enforcement, naturally raises questions within the Perth community regarding the underlying issues and the path forward for Mr. Goddard.
The series of events underscores the complex challenges that can arise when individuals struggle with behavioural issues compounded by a desire for social media notoriety. The community hopes that the deferred sentence will provide an opportunity for comprehensive evaluation and interventions that address the root causes of his behaviour, ultimately promoting safety and well-being for both Mr. Goddard and the wider Perth and Kinross area. ” “positive_prompt”: “A modern, well-lit courtroom scene in a Scottish town, featuring a young man standing reflectively in the dock. The judge and legal professionals are present, conveying a sense of serious legal proceedings. The mood is contemplative and formal, with soft natural light filtering through tall windows. The architecture is grand but understated, typical of a regional courthouse. Photo-realistic.
The confrontation, which occurred on July 28 of this year, began when police attended Mr. Goddard’s residence in response to a domestic disturbance complaint. Upon their arrival, the situation quickly escalated. Instead of cooperating, Mr. Goddard launched into a verbal tirade against the officers, interspersing his aggressive remarks with derogatory comments targeting disability.
The teenager barricaded himself inside, refusing to open the door. Police attempted to communicate with him through the letterbox, but their efforts were met with hostility as he threw plates at the door from within. The situation intensified when Mr. Goddard, brandishing a knife, threatened to harm himself and ignite his flat. He demonstrated his intent by spraying an aerosol can and lighting it, creating a dangerous and volatile ‘flamethrower’ effect. Previous Incident and Courtroom Concerns
This is not the first time Mr. Goddard’s actions have drawn significant police attention and public scrutiny. In a previous incident on March 14, 2024, he triggered an armed police response after being sighted with a replica BB gun near Perth Prison. He later admitted to this, explaining that he was filming a TikTok video at the time. This prompted a judge to urge him to make “better life choices.”
During that earlier case, a fiscal depute commented on Mr. Goddard’s “bizarre fascination with the police and prison service.” His defence solicitor attributed his behaviour to “gross immaturity” rather than malicious intent. However, Sheriff Krista Johnston expressed her concern at the time, noting that Mr. Goddard appeared to enjoy “courting some kind of social media attention” and had used it in “concerning means.” Legal Proceedings and Community Impact
At a recent appearance at Perth Sheriff Court, Kenzie Goddard, now 19, admitted to charges of acting in a threatening or abusive manner on Tay Street, aggravated by anti-disability bigotry. The charges specifically covered his aggressive shouting and swearing, his refusal to comply with police demands to open the door, the hurling of plates, and his dangerous threats of self-harm and arson using the improvised device.
The court has deferred sentencing to allow for background reports to be prepared. He has been released on bail, awaiting the next stage of proceedings. The repeated nature of these incidents, particularly those involving public safety concerns and challenges to law enforcement, naturally raises questions within the Perth community regarding the underlying issues and the path forward for Mr. Goddard.
The series of events underscores the complex challenges that can arise when individuals struggle with behavioural issues compounded by a desire for social media notoriety. The community hopes that the deferred sentence will provide an opportunity for comprehensive evaluation and interventions that address the root causes of his behaviour, ultimately promoting safety and well-being for both Mr. Goddard and the wider Perth and Kinross area. ” “positive_prompt”: “A modern, well-lit courtroom scene in a Scottish town, featuring a young man standing reflectively in the dock. The judge and legal professionals are present, conveying a sense of serious legal proceedings. The mood is contemplative and formal, with soft natural light filtering through tall windows. The architecture is grand but understated, typical of a regional courthouse. Photo-realistic.