A Crieff man previously implicated in disturbing animal cruelty incidents has received his sentencing for a severe assault on his former girlfriend, with a judge at Perth Sheriff Court highlighting his “terrible attitude” during proceedings.
Liam Fair, 22, of Crieff, faced justice not only for his violent actions against his ex-partner but also against a backdrop of prior convictions involving animal abuse that had sparked considerable local outrage. The recent sentencing marks another chapter in a series of legal issues for Fair that have drawn widespread attention across Perth and Kinross. The Domestic Assault Case
The court heard harrowing details of an assault that took place in Crieff on February 20, 2025. Fair was found guilty of a domestically aggravated assault, during which he placed his arms around his victim’s neck, restricting her ability to move and breathe. He then repeatedly struck her head, causing her to fall to the floor and sustain injuries. The trial brought to light the significant physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon the victim.
Following his conviction, Fair was mandated to cooperate with social workers for a pre-sentencing report, a standard procedure to assess an offender’s background and suitability for various community-based orders. However, Fair’s response to this requirement was dismissive and disrespectful. He informed social workers he was “not obliged to meet anyone” and reportedly told them, “You can bite my sh**e.” These defiant remarks led to a stern reprimand from the court in September, where he was warned that non-compliance could result in immediate imprisonment before his final sentencing. Court’s Stance and Sentencing Outcome
Returning to Perth Sheriff Court this week for his fate, Fair’s solicitor, Lyndsey Barber, acknowledged her client’s immaturity and explained that he was deemed unsuitable for most community programmes. Ms. Barber conveyed Fair’s understanding of the serious nature of the charges.
Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC addressed Fair directly, recounting the distressing evidence presented during the trial. She emphasised the “very violent and sustained attack” and its lasting, potentially permanent, impact on the victim. The Sheriff also scrutinised Fair’s testimony during the trial, describing it as “almost entirely incredible,” and noted the concerning contents of the pre-sentencing report, which reflected his lack of respect for authority.
Despite concerns about his “terrible attitude,” Sheriff Bain opted to give Fair an opportunity to avoid custody, stating that while a custodial sentence seemed a realistic alternative, his ability to work was a factor. Fair was ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work within the community. Additionally, a non-harassment order was imposed, strictly prohibiting him from contacting his ex-partner for a period of five years. The Sheriff unequivocally stated that this sentence was a direct alternative to prison, underscoring the severity of the court’s decision. Previous Animal Cruelty Incidents
This domestic assault case follows an earlier conviction in February, where Fair admitted to abhorrent acts of animal cruelty. He had pled guilty to goading his lurcher dog, Jax, into a fatal attack on a domestic rat. A Snapchat video, which later surfaced, showed Fair swinging the rat by its tail and striking it against his dog’s nose, a shocking display that appalled animal welfare advocates. A joint investigation by police and the Scottish SPCA also uncovered a dreadful scene at Fair’s Crieff residence, where five starving puppies, three other dogs, and a kitten were found in what were described as “slum-like” conditions, indicative of severe neglect.
The revelations surrounding Fair’s animal cruelty charges were compounded by further controversy when it emerged he had been volunteering at the popular Auchingarrich Wildlife Park. Initially, park management had defended his presence, citing his “heartfelt desire for change.” However, their stance shifted dramatically after his domestic assault conviction became public knowledge. Alexa Reid, the park owner, confirmed that Fair’s volunteering stint was brief, stating he had only worked “three hours that one time and he has not been back.”
The previous sentence for animal cruelty, which involved disqualification from keeping animals but controversially allowed him to retain eight animals already in his care, was met with strong condemnation from the Scottish SPCA, who expressed their “devastation” at the outcome. This latest sentencing in Perth Sheriff Court brings a measure of judicial closure to a case that has highlighted serious issues of violence and disrespect, impacting both individuals and the wider community in Perthshire.
Liam Fair, 22, of Crieff, faced justice not only for his violent actions against his ex-partner but also against a backdrop of prior convictions involving animal abuse that had sparked considerable local outrage. The recent sentencing marks another chapter in a series of legal issues for Fair that have drawn widespread attention across Perth and Kinross. The Domestic Assault Case
The court heard harrowing details of an assault that took place in Crieff on February 20, 2025. Fair was found guilty of a domestically aggravated assault, during which he placed his arms around his victim’s neck, restricting her ability to move and breathe. He then repeatedly struck her head, causing her to fall to the floor and sustain injuries. The trial brought to light the significant physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon the victim.
Following his conviction, Fair was mandated to cooperate with social workers for a pre-sentencing report, a standard procedure to assess an offender’s background and suitability for various community-based orders. However, Fair’s response to this requirement was dismissive and disrespectful. He informed social workers he was “not obliged to meet anyone” and reportedly told them, “You can bite my sh**e.” These defiant remarks led to a stern reprimand from the court in September, where he was warned that non-compliance could result in immediate imprisonment before his final sentencing. Court’s Stance and Sentencing Outcome
Returning to Perth Sheriff Court this week for his fate, Fair’s solicitor, Lyndsey Barber, acknowledged her client’s immaturity and explained that he was deemed unsuitable for most community programmes. Ms. Barber conveyed Fair’s understanding of the serious nature of the charges.
Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC addressed Fair directly, recounting the distressing evidence presented during the trial. She emphasised the “very violent and sustained attack” and its lasting, potentially permanent, impact on the victim. The Sheriff also scrutinised Fair’s testimony during the trial, describing it as “almost entirely incredible,” and noted the concerning contents of the pre-sentencing report, which reflected his lack of respect for authority.
Despite concerns about his “terrible attitude,” Sheriff Bain opted to give Fair an opportunity to avoid custody, stating that while a custodial sentence seemed a realistic alternative, his ability to work was a factor. Fair was ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work within the community. Additionally, a non-harassment order was imposed, strictly prohibiting him from contacting his ex-partner for a period of five years. The Sheriff unequivocally stated that this sentence was a direct alternative to prison, underscoring the severity of the court’s decision. Previous Animal Cruelty Incidents
This domestic assault case follows an earlier conviction in February, where Fair admitted to abhorrent acts of animal cruelty. He had pled guilty to goading his lurcher dog, Jax, into a fatal attack on a domestic rat. A Snapchat video, which later surfaced, showed Fair swinging the rat by its tail and striking it against his dog’s nose, a shocking display that appalled animal welfare advocates. A joint investigation by police and the Scottish SPCA also uncovered a dreadful scene at Fair’s Crieff residence, where five starving puppies, three other dogs, and a kitten were found in what were described as “slum-like” conditions, indicative of severe neglect.
The revelations surrounding Fair’s animal cruelty charges were compounded by further controversy when it emerged he had been volunteering at the popular Auchingarrich Wildlife Park. Initially, park management had defended his presence, citing his “heartfelt desire for change.” However, their stance shifted dramatically after his domestic assault conviction became public knowledge. Alexa Reid, the park owner, confirmed that Fair’s volunteering stint was brief, stating he had only worked “three hours that one time and he has not been back.”
The previous sentence for animal cruelty, which involved disqualification from keeping animals but controversially allowed him to retain eight animals already in his care, was met with strong condemnation from the Scottish SPCA, who expressed their “devastation” at the outcome. This latest sentencing in Perth Sheriff Court brings a measure of judicial closure to a case that has highlighted serious issues of violence and disrespect, impacting both individuals and the wider community in Perthshire.