The judicial system across Perth and Kinross, alongside the wider Tayside and Fife regions, has recently concluded a range of cases, shedding light on incidents from public disturbances and road safety breaches to more severe matters of assault and hate crime. These legal proceedings underscore the continuous dedication of our local courts to uphold the law and safeguard communities, reflecting the varied challenges encountered within our urban centres and rural landscapes. Residents in Perth and Kinross will find particular relevance in cases adjudicated at Perth Sheriff Court, which directly addressed significant events that occurred within our own localities.
One such case saw James Soutar, a 23-year-old from Kirkcaldy, brought before Dundee Sheriff Court following a violent episode in Broughty Ferry. The court heard how Soutar initiated an unprovoked attack on a man at an address on The Esplanade in July of the previous year. After forcing the victim to the ground, Soutar proceeded to straddle him and deliver multiple punches to his head, resulting in injuries. Soutar admitted his culpability, leading to a court order mandating he provide £500 in compensation to the individual he assaulted. This resolution aims to offer some recompense for the harm inflicted during the attack.
Another regional case involved Kieran Dorian, identified as a serial stalker from Tayside. Forfar Sheriff Court found Dorian guilty of persistent harassment against a salon worker. During the trial in July, disturbing testimony revealed that Dorian had chillingly informed his victim that he had ‘hid like an assassin’ while closely observing her during a night out in Dundee. This conviction highlights the grave nature of stalking and the protective measures the courts implement against such behaviour. Dangerous Driving on Perthshire Roads
Closer to home, Perth Sheriff Court recently handled the case of Neil Findlay, a 72-year-old resident of Comrie. His dangerous driving led to a head-on collision on the A85, the main route connecting Comrie and Crieff, on March 12 this year. Findlay admitted to the offence, explaining to the court that he was momentarily ‘blinded by the sun,’ which caused him to drift into the opposing lane. There, his grey Vauxhall Corsa collided with an oncoming bus. Fortunately, the bus driver and its sole passenger escaped without injury, though Findlay himself sustained a broken shinbone in the crash. Addressing Sheriff William Wood directly, Findlay confirmed he had voluntarily surrendered his driving licence and expressed no intention of driving again. Acknowledging the severity of the incident but also the driver’s commitment to cease driving, the court imposed a fine of £600 and a one-year driving ban. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the continuous vigilance required on Perthshire’s beautiful yet at times challenging roads. Assault at a Perth Nightspot
Perth Sheriff Court also saw Christianne Fahey, a professional boxer known to compete in the super middleweight division, appear on assault charges. Fahey admitted to two counts of assault stemming from an altercation at the popular Bank Bar in Perth during February. The incident, described in court as a ‘rammy,’ involved Fahey lashing out at security staff. The court’s decision in this case resulted in a sentence of unpaid work, underscoring that professional standing does not exempt individuals from accountability for their actions in public spaces within Perth. Transphobic Hate Crime in Crieff
A significant case involving hate crime was also heard at Perth Sheriff Court, where Daniel Williams, 35, from Arbroath, faced charges for a transphobic outburst in Crieff, a well-known town in Perthshire. Williams pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his former partner and her friend, a trans woman. The charge was explicitly aggravated by prejudice relating to transgender identity, emphasising the gravity with which such discriminatory behaviour is treated by the legal system.
The fiscal depute, Sarah High, detailed the events of July 12 this year, when Williams went to his ex-girlfriend’s Crieff home to collect his belongings. The items had been left outside, and Williams’ ex and her friend were out for a walk. They encountered Williams, who began to shout aggressively, questioning ‘Just you walk off with it,’ and ‘what are you doing with it?’ He then verbally abused the pair, referring to them as ‘you and your boyfriend.’ Both individuals perceived these remarks as overtly transphobic.
The situation escalated when they again saw Williams, who continued his tirade, calling the friend a ‘weirdo’ and explicitly stating, ‘You’re nothing but a f***ing man.’ The victims retreated to the property, but Williams later approached with a broken glass bottle, striking the front door and issuing a chilling threat to ‘smash your f***ing windows.’ Despite his subsequent denial to police that he had been threatening, Williams admitted in court that his remarks were indeed offensive.
Sheriff William Wood sternly addressed Williams, stating that his behaviour was ‘grossly offensive’ and could have warranted a custodial sentence. He clarified that while personal opinions are not unlawful, their public expression becomes illegal when it involves abusive behaviour. Williams, residing in Gedy Place, Arbroath, was ordered to pay a substantial fine of £1,400, reflecting the gravity of the hate crime committed within the Perthshire community. Dundee Nightclub Altercation and Glenrothes Blade Attack
In Dundee, a chaotic scene unfolded at the nightclub Pout, resulting in a mass brawl that left two men injured. The sentencing hearing for Daniel Stewart (28), Alex McGowan (35), and Arran Brown (30) detailed how one of the victims sustained head wounds and even ‘foot impressions’ on his body. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential for violence in nightlife settings and the consequences faced by those involved in such public disturbances.
Finally, Glenrothes Sheriff Court concluded a distressing case involving Leon Edwards, 27, of Lawson Gardens, Kirkcaldy. Edwards was sentenced for a blade attack on a friend during a drinking session in a guest room at Gilmour Court Care Home, a sheltered housing complex in Glenrothes, on January 20 of last year. Edwards had arranged the room through his grandmother, a resident, for socialising. Following an argument where the complainer allegedly spat on the floor, Edwards attacked his friend with a bladed object and forcibly removed him from the premises. The victim was later discovered on the streets, heavily bleeding from a 10-12cm long, 0.5cm deep cut to his face, resulting in severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
Defence lawyer Aaron Thomson informed the court that Edwards had limited recollection of the event due to significant alcohol and illicit substance consumption. He expressed remorse, attributing his actions to the argument and his impaired state. Edwards plans to relocate to Aberdeen for warehouse employment. Sheriff Robert More acknowledged Edwards’ immediate regret and viewed his employment prospects as a ‘significant protective factor.’ Edwards received a sentence of 210 hours of unpaid work and a year of offender supervision.
These diverse cases from across Tayside and Fife, with a particular focus on those handled by Perth Sheriff Court, illustrate the ongoing complexities within our communities and the unwavering commitment of the justice system to address them. They highlight the paramount importance of responsible conduct, respect for all individuals, and adherence to the law in fostering a peaceful and orderly environment for all residents.
One such case saw James Soutar, a 23-year-old from Kirkcaldy, brought before Dundee Sheriff Court following a violent episode in Broughty Ferry. The court heard how Soutar initiated an unprovoked attack on a man at an address on The Esplanade in July of the previous year. After forcing the victim to the ground, Soutar proceeded to straddle him and deliver multiple punches to his head, resulting in injuries. Soutar admitted his culpability, leading to a court order mandating he provide £500 in compensation to the individual he assaulted. This resolution aims to offer some recompense for the harm inflicted during the attack.
Another regional case involved Kieran Dorian, identified as a serial stalker from Tayside. Forfar Sheriff Court found Dorian guilty of persistent harassment against a salon worker. During the trial in July, disturbing testimony revealed that Dorian had chillingly informed his victim that he had ‘hid like an assassin’ while closely observing her during a night out in Dundee. This conviction highlights the grave nature of stalking and the protective measures the courts implement against such behaviour. Dangerous Driving on Perthshire Roads
Closer to home, Perth Sheriff Court recently handled the case of Neil Findlay, a 72-year-old resident of Comrie. His dangerous driving led to a head-on collision on the A85, the main route connecting Comrie and Crieff, on March 12 this year. Findlay admitted to the offence, explaining to the court that he was momentarily ‘blinded by the sun,’ which caused him to drift into the opposing lane. There, his grey Vauxhall Corsa collided with an oncoming bus. Fortunately, the bus driver and its sole passenger escaped without injury, though Findlay himself sustained a broken shinbone in the crash. Addressing Sheriff William Wood directly, Findlay confirmed he had voluntarily surrendered his driving licence and expressed no intention of driving again. Acknowledging the severity of the incident but also the driver’s commitment to cease driving, the court imposed a fine of £600 and a one-year driving ban. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the continuous vigilance required on Perthshire’s beautiful yet at times challenging roads. Assault at a Perth Nightspot
Perth Sheriff Court also saw Christianne Fahey, a professional boxer known to compete in the super middleweight division, appear on assault charges. Fahey admitted to two counts of assault stemming from an altercation at the popular Bank Bar in Perth during February. The incident, described in court as a ‘rammy,’ involved Fahey lashing out at security staff. The court’s decision in this case resulted in a sentence of unpaid work, underscoring that professional standing does not exempt individuals from accountability for their actions in public spaces within Perth. Transphobic Hate Crime in Crieff
A significant case involving hate crime was also heard at Perth Sheriff Court, where Daniel Williams, 35, from Arbroath, faced charges for a transphobic outburst in Crieff, a well-known town in Perthshire. Williams pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his former partner and her friend, a trans woman. The charge was explicitly aggravated by prejudice relating to transgender identity, emphasising the gravity with which such discriminatory behaviour is treated by the legal system.
The fiscal depute, Sarah High, detailed the events of July 12 this year, when Williams went to his ex-girlfriend’s Crieff home to collect his belongings. The items had been left outside, and Williams’ ex and her friend were out for a walk. They encountered Williams, who began to shout aggressively, questioning ‘Just you walk off with it,’ and ‘what are you doing with it?’ He then verbally abused the pair, referring to them as ‘you and your boyfriend.’ Both individuals perceived these remarks as overtly transphobic.
The situation escalated when they again saw Williams, who continued his tirade, calling the friend a ‘weirdo’ and explicitly stating, ‘You’re nothing but a f***ing man.’ The victims retreated to the property, but Williams later approached with a broken glass bottle, striking the front door and issuing a chilling threat to ‘smash your f***ing windows.’ Despite his subsequent denial to police that he had been threatening, Williams admitted in court that his remarks were indeed offensive.
Sheriff William Wood sternly addressed Williams, stating that his behaviour was ‘grossly offensive’ and could have warranted a custodial sentence. He clarified that while personal opinions are not unlawful, their public expression becomes illegal when it involves abusive behaviour. Williams, residing in Gedy Place, Arbroath, was ordered to pay a substantial fine of £1,400, reflecting the gravity of the hate crime committed within the Perthshire community. Dundee Nightclub Altercation and Glenrothes Blade Attack
In Dundee, a chaotic scene unfolded at the nightclub Pout, resulting in a mass brawl that left two men injured. The sentencing hearing for Daniel Stewart (28), Alex McGowan (35), and Arran Brown (30) detailed how one of the victims sustained head wounds and even ‘foot impressions’ on his body. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential for violence in nightlife settings and the consequences faced by those involved in such public disturbances.
Finally, Glenrothes Sheriff Court concluded a distressing case involving Leon Edwards, 27, of Lawson Gardens, Kirkcaldy. Edwards was sentenced for a blade attack on a friend during a drinking session in a guest room at Gilmour Court Care Home, a sheltered housing complex in Glenrothes, on January 20 of last year. Edwards had arranged the room through his grandmother, a resident, for socialising. Following an argument where the complainer allegedly spat on the floor, Edwards attacked his friend with a bladed object and forcibly removed him from the premises. The victim was later discovered on the streets, heavily bleeding from a 10-12cm long, 0.5cm deep cut to his face, resulting in severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
Defence lawyer Aaron Thomson informed the court that Edwards had limited recollection of the event due to significant alcohol and illicit substance consumption. He expressed remorse, attributing his actions to the argument and his impaired state. Edwards plans to relocate to Aberdeen for warehouse employment. Sheriff Robert More acknowledged Edwards’ immediate regret and viewed his employment prospects as a ‘significant protective factor.’ Edwards received a sentence of 210 hours of unpaid work and a year of offender supervision.
These diverse cases from across Tayside and Fife, with a particular focus on those handled by Perth Sheriff Court, illustrate the ongoing complexities within our communities and the unwavering commitment of the justice system to address them. They highlight the paramount importance of responsible conduct, respect for all individuals, and adherence to the law in fostering a peaceful and orderly environment for all residents.