The courts across Perth and Kinross have been actively addressing a diverse array of criminal cases this week, underscoring the relentless pursuit of justice within our communities. Proceedings have brought significant outcomes in cases ranging from severe domestic abuse and an update on a high-profile murder trial to instances of calculated fraud and deeply personal privacy invasions. Each case highlights the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the law and protecting residents throughout the region.
A Perth-based electrician, Kevin Watt, received a stern sentence at Perth Sheriff Court for a terrifying and sustained campaign of abuse against his former partner. Harrowing details emerged of how Watt lured the woman to his Victoria Street flat under the guise of reconciliation, only to trap her and subject her to a horrific ordeal. During her captivity, she was physically assaulted, including being headbutted and bitten on the face, and was denied sleep, prevented from escaping to her children. This disturbing pattern was not new, as Watt had a history of making extreme threats, including one to ‘chop off her head’. Represented by his defence agent, the behaviour was acknowledged as ‘repugnant’. Sheriff Simon Collins KC imposed a comprehensive sentence: 300 hours of unpaid community work, a six-month restriction of liberty order requiring him to stay indoors between 9 pm and 6 am, and two years of stringent supervision. Furthermore, Watt has been mandated to attend the Caledonian Programme, a specialist initiative for domestic offenders, and is subject to a five-year non-harassment order, prohibiting any contact with his former partner. High-Profile Murder Trial Progresses
In a significant development, a trial date has been formally set for David Campbell, a former head gamekeeper accused of the shotgun murder of 65-year-old Brian Low. The tragic incident, which shocked the serene community near Aberfeldy, occurred in February 2024. Campbell, now 76, appeared for his final procedural hearing, where the High Court scheduled the highly anticipated trial to begin on February 2, 2026. This lengthy timeframe reflects the intricate nature of such serious cases and the extensive preparation required to ensure all legal aspects are thoroughly examined.
Separately, a rapist, Dylan Cameron, was handed a substantial seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence following a horrific five-year ordeal inflicted upon a woman, primarily in Dunfermline. Cameron, now 28, attempted to deflect responsibility by claiming he was ‘confused about sexual boundaries’ and that his age influenced his actions. However, Lord Stuart, presiding at the High Court in Glasgow, vehemently rejected these claims. The judge dismissed them as untruthful attempts to reduce culpability and deemed them ‘insulting to the vast majority of young people,’ emphasizing that his actions were ‘obvious to any right-minded member of society’ as harmful. Cameron had been convicted of rape, physical assault, and a course of abusive behaviour. His history of previous convictions and multiple breaches of community payback orders further exacerbated his sentence. Upon release, he will undergo an additional three years of supervision, remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely, and is permanently banned from contact with his victim. Elaborate Cons and Covert Surveillance Exposed
Two brazen individuals, Benjamin Payne and Alexander Rush, are now behind bars after orchestrating a ‘cruel con’ in Stirlingshire. Posing as police officers, they terrified an elderly couple, with the victim, in her eighties, recounting how she and her now-deceased husband were coerced into handing over tens of thousands of pounds worth of precious diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds. This calculated act of deception preyed on the vulnerability of senior citizens, extending the impact of such crimes across our broader regional communities.
In another case involving covert actions, Gary Archibald, a self-employed father from Forfar, faced justice at Forfar Sheriff Court for stalking his former partner. Archibald admitted to secretly placing a tracking device in the front passenger-side wheel arch of his ‘school sweetheart’s’ vehicle, monitoring her movements for 17 days. While his solicitor described this as a ‘moment of madness’ stemming from family concerns, and noted Archibald had no prior offences, Sheriff Mark Thorley firmly declared the use of a tracking device ‘utterly unacceptable’. Archibald was fined £1,000, plus a £40 victim surcharge, to be paid within 28 days, and was issued a strict 12-month non-harassment order, prohibiting any contact with the victim.
Duncan McPhee, a serial thief from Bridge of Earn, also appeared in court for preying on a 94-year-old Fife pensioner. Posing as a window cleaner, McPhee distracted the elderly householder, entered his home, and stole his wallet and bank cards from a money box. He then used one of the stolen cards to withdraw £650. This despicable act, heard at Perth Sheriff Court, highlights the need for vigilance against those who exploit trust, particularly within our older population. Spycam Restriction Lifted Amid Family Ties
Andrew Thomas, a 50-year-old former offshore worker with a history of voyeurism, successfully applied to Perth Sheriff Court to have some of his post-sentencing restrictions relaxed. Thomas had previously admitted to an egregious invasion of privacy: he hid an iPhone in a flower vase at the foot of a 65-year-old woman’s bed, recording over 40 hours of intimate footage, including her undressing. The victim discovered the Velcro-fixed camera while simply arranging an artificial bouquet. This was a repeat offence for Thomas, who had a prior conviction for secretly filming a female colleague on an oil rig. His initial sentence in April included a six-month restriction of liberty order, 300 hours of unpaid work, and five years on the sex offenders register, along with strict conditions that banned him from approaching his victim or entering her home village near Pitlochry. However, Thomas successfully argued for the village ban to be lifted due to his family residing there. Following police confirmation that the victim no longer lived in the area and with no objection from Fiscal Depute Lissie Cooke, Sheriff Peter Anderson agreed to remove this specific restriction.
A Perth-based electrician, Kevin Watt, received a stern sentence at Perth Sheriff Court for a terrifying and sustained campaign of abuse against his former partner. Harrowing details emerged of how Watt lured the woman to his Victoria Street flat under the guise of reconciliation, only to trap her and subject her to a horrific ordeal. During her captivity, she was physically assaulted, including being headbutted and bitten on the face, and was denied sleep, prevented from escaping to her children. This disturbing pattern was not new, as Watt had a history of making extreme threats, including one to ‘chop off her head’. Represented by his defence agent, the behaviour was acknowledged as ‘repugnant’. Sheriff Simon Collins KC imposed a comprehensive sentence: 300 hours of unpaid community work, a six-month restriction of liberty order requiring him to stay indoors between 9 pm and 6 am, and two years of stringent supervision. Furthermore, Watt has been mandated to attend the Caledonian Programme, a specialist initiative for domestic offenders, and is subject to a five-year non-harassment order, prohibiting any contact with his former partner. High-Profile Murder Trial Progresses
In a significant development, a trial date has been formally set for David Campbell, a former head gamekeeper accused of the shotgun murder of 65-year-old Brian Low. The tragic incident, which shocked the serene community near Aberfeldy, occurred in February 2024. Campbell, now 76, appeared for his final procedural hearing, where the High Court scheduled the highly anticipated trial to begin on February 2, 2026. This lengthy timeframe reflects the intricate nature of such serious cases and the extensive preparation required to ensure all legal aspects are thoroughly examined.
Separately, a rapist, Dylan Cameron, was handed a substantial seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence following a horrific five-year ordeal inflicted upon a woman, primarily in Dunfermline. Cameron, now 28, attempted to deflect responsibility by claiming he was ‘confused about sexual boundaries’ and that his age influenced his actions. However, Lord Stuart, presiding at the High Court in Glasgow, vehemently rejected these claims. The judge dismissed them as untruthful attempts to reduce culpability and deemed them ‘insulting to the vast majority of young people,’ emphasizing that his actions were ‘obvious to any right-minded member of society’ as harmful. Cameron had been convicted of rape, physical assault, and a course of abusive behaviour. His history of previous convictions and multiple breaches of community payback orders further exacerbated his sentence. Upon release, he will undergo an additional three years of supervision, remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely, and is permanently banned from contact with his victim. Elaborate Cons and Covert Surveillance Exposed
Two brazen individuals, Benjamin Payne and Alexander Rush, are now behind bars after orchestrating a ‘cruel con’ in Stirlingshire. Posing as police officers, they terrified an elderly couple, with the victim, in her eighties, recounting how she and her now-deceased husband were coerced into handing over tens of thousands of pounds worth of precious diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds. This calculated act of deception preyed on the vulnerability of senior citizens, extending the impact of such crimes across our broader regional communities.
In another case involving covert actions, Gary Archibald, a self-employed father from Forfar, faced justice at Forfar Sheriff Court for stalking his former partner. Archibald admitted to secretly placing a tracking device in the front passenger-side wheel arch of his ‘school sweetheart’s’ vehicle, monitoring her movements for 17 days. While his solicitor described this as a ‘moment of madness’ stemming from family concerns, and noted Archibald had no prior offences, Sheriff Mark Thorley firmly declared the use of a tracking device ‘utterly unacceptable’. Archibald was fined £1,000, plus a £40 victim surcharge, to be paid within 28 days, and was issued a strict 12-month non-harassment order, prohibiting any contact with the victim.
Duncan McPhee, a serial thief from Bridge of Earn, also appeared in court for preying on a 94-year-old Fife pensioner. Posing as a window cleaner, McPhee distracted the elderly householder, entered his home, and stole his wallet and bank cards from a money box. He then used one of the stolen cards to withdraw £650. This despicable act, heard at Perth Sheriff Court, highlights the need for vigilance against those who exploit trust, particularly within our older population. Spycam Restriction Lifted Amid Family Ties
Andrew Thomas, a 50-year-old former offshore worker with a history of voyeurism, successfully applied to Perth Sheriff Court to have some of his post-sentencing restrictions relaxed. Thomas had previously admitted to an egregious invasion of privacy: he hid an iPhone in a flower vase at the foot of a 65-year-old woman’s bed, recording over 40 hours of intimate footage, including her undressing. The victim discovered the Velcro-fixed camera while simply arranging an artificial bouquet. This was a repeat offence for Thomas, who had a prior conviction for secretly filming a female colleague on an oil rig. His initial sentence in April included a six-month restriction of liberty order, 300 hours of unpaid work, and five years on the sex offenders register, along with strict conditions that banned him from approaching his victim or entering her home village near Pitlochry. However, Thomas successfully argued for the village ban to be lifted due to his family residing there. Following police confirmation that the victim no longer lived in the area and with no objection from Fiscal Depute Lissie Cooke, Sheriff Peter Anderson agreed to remove this specific restriction.