Search results for Fife

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John Houston appeared on Tuesday, 15 September, 2026, at the High Court in Edinburgh after being convicted at the same court last month.

The 39-year-old committed his crimes over a three-year period between July, 2020 and September, 2023.

Detective Sergeant Jim Crook said:

“Houston subjected several women to horrific sexual and violent attacks, causing lasting trauma that has had a profound impact on their lives.

“I would like to acknowledge the support provided by all victims throughout the investigation and court process, and I hope this sentence brings them some closure.

“Police Scotland remains committed to tackling sexual and violent crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us. 

“We’ll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.”

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A man who sexually assaulted two women on a crowded train in Fife has been jailed, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Jamie Muir, 33, and of James Street in Dunfermline, was sentenced at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday 29 April to nine month's imprisonment and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Sexual Assault.

The court heard how on Sunday 16 November 2025, Muir boarded a train from Inverkeithing to Edinburgh that was extremely busy due to a rugby match between Scotland and Argentina later in the day at Murrayfield.

Muir stood behind two women, and only minutes after the train left Inverkeithing he began to sexually assault both women, using the crowd to disguise his actions.

One of the women turned to Muir and challenged his actions, with Muir in turn apologising and claiming not to know where he was.

Other passengers on the train intervened, encouraging Muir to leave the train at the next stop. He then left the train at North Queensferry.

Once the train arrived at Edinburgh Waverley, the two women reported the incident to officers at the station and an urgent investigation was launched.

Images of Muir were shared with other police forces in a drive to identify him, and he was subsequently identified and arrested.

Upon being arrested, Muir attempted to excuse his actions by saying he had felt unwell.

DC Crawford Gillies said:

"Muir's actions were opportunistic and sickening, so I'm very pleased with the sentence handed down to him that should provide him ample time to consider his actions.

"There is absolutely no place for this type of behaviour anywhere on the railway network, and we take every report of this kind of behaviour seriously.

"If you ever need us while you're travelling on the railway, you can discreetly text us on 61016. Our officers can meet the train at the next station, and we’ll stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders to justice.”

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A transgender woman has been jailed for nine years for a series of sex attacks on young girls.

Serenity Francis Johnston, 34—a biological male formerly known as David who now identifies as a woman—abused three children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in Livingston, West Lothian, between November 2006 and April 2012.

Johnston targeted girls aged eight to 15, committing sexual assaults and rape.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Mulholland sentenced Johnston, noting the victims were "robbed" of their innocence and happiness, and that the sentences reflected Johnston's "lack of remorse" for the girls preyed upon.

He added: "The rapes of young children is a very serious matter and a lengthy prison sentence will be imposed on those who commit such crimes."

The jury heard how Johnston's first victim was nine when the abuse began, involving indecent and sexual assaults, and rape.

Between March 1, 2011, and September 30, 2012, Johnston raped a second girl at a house in Livingston.

In 2012, Johnston sexually assaulted a third girl, aged 15.

Johnston denied the charges but was convicted at the High Court in Livingston last month.

Post-conviction, Lord Mulholland said: "These are very serious offences to rape children. You'll pay a very heavy price for what you did."

Defence advocate Jonathan Crowe said Johnston had a "troubled childhood," takes medication for anxiety and panic attacks, endured serious bullying, is in a relationship with a woman, and has family support.

Lord Mulholland replied that the crimes' nature required jail: "What you did corrupted their innocence and early childhood years. You have robbed them of their childhood and caused them long lasting psychological damage."

He noted Johnston's lack of remorse and first-time offender status were considered.

Johnston was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

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Fife rapist had his parole bid thrown out for a third time despite originally being sentenced to only 45 months in prison.

Luke Bertorelli was convicted of a total of 11 charges, including raping three women, in a spree of attacks across Dunfermline, High Valleyfield, Blairgowrie and Edinburgh between March 2017 and February 2021.

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A sex assault victim’s family said the Fife attacker should have been jailed after he was given unpaid work at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Jordan Linton was found guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting the woman by penetration.

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A violent rapist who targeted women for over four decades has been jailed for 16 years.

Phillip Berry, 60, from Fife, pled guilty last month at the High Court in Edinburgh to multiple rapes, attempted rapes, and serious assaults on several women between 1980 and 2023. He began his spree of violent and sexual offences as a teenager.

Berry was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, January 13, for what detectives described as "violent and depraved" crimes.

Detective Inspector Frank Keegan said: "Berry is a violent and depraved sexual offender.

"These women have been deeply impacted by his actions and I hope this sentence brings them some comfort.

"I want to acknowledge the strength of the women who provided information to police in this case. Berry's conviction is down to them.

"Police Scotland will fully investigate abuse wherever it occurs and whoever the perpetrator is, no matter how long ago it happened.

"I'd encourage anyone with concerns about sexual abuse to contact officers or one of our support services who will listen and investigate."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 60-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for carrying out violent and sexual offences against women for over 40 years.

"Phillip Berry, from the Fife area, carried out multiple rapes, attempted rapes and serious assaults on several women between 1980 to 2023.

"He pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh last month and was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, January 13."

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Lee Spence, a 25-year-old Fife man currently serving an eight-and-a-half-year sentence for attempting to murder his father in a premeditated blade attack at HMP Perth, has been placed on the sex offenders register due to a separate incident involving a 16-year-old girl in Glenrothes. The assault on the teenager occurred before his imprisonment, where Spence followed her and made inappropriate, lewd comments, causing her significant distress. This behavior was classified as sexual in nature, leading to charges and highlighting a pattern of violent and inappropriate conduct that echoes his family's troubled history, including his father's own convictions for child abuse.

In court, the judge underscored the seriousness of Spence's actions toward the girl, noting the profound impact on the young victim and the need for public protection. As a result of this conviction, Spence will be monitored under the sex offenders register upon release, joining his father on the list. The case draws attention to Spence's vengeful tendencies and ongoing risks, with authorities emphasizing measures to prevent future incidents.

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A sex offender who previously avoided jail for targeting young women has struck again, harassing a 16-year-old at a bus stop.

Steven Boyd, 42, left the teenager in tears and shaking with fear last month, despite being on the sex offenders register for five years. In October, he was admonished after admitting a string of similar offenses in Dunfermline.

Boyd, of Dunfermline, admitted that on December 6 at the town's bus station, he caused fear or alarm to the girl by sitting close to her, turning his body toward her, and making inappropriate remarks. The crime had a significant sexual element.

Depute fiscal Catherine Stevenson said the victim had traveled by bus from Edinburgh to Dunfermline. At 9:30pm, while waiting for her next bus, Boyd—a stranger—sat next to her, introduced himself, and extended his hand, which she ignored.

He asked her name and age; she said she was 16, and he replied he was 42. Boyd then said, “You’re quite big for 16,” commented on her clothing, asked if she was single, and if she'd go out with him.

“Probably not,” she replied. When he asked why, she cited her age. Boyd turned his legs toward her, making her so uncomfortable she walked away.

A bus station worker, monitoring CCTV, approached her; she was upset and began crying. On her bus home, she was “shaking and feeling physically sick,” the depute added.

Police arrested Boyd, who told officers he knew she was 16 and said, “I was trying to get myself a girlfriend.”

Sheriff Krista Johnston deferred sentencing to February 11 for reports.

In October, Boyd was admonished for three 2024 incidents: On June 30 at River Island in Kingsgate shopping centre, he approached a female worker, blew kisses, asked if she was in a relationship, made inappropriate comments, and stared at her.

On August 24 at another store, he sexually assaulted a young woman by grabbing and kissing her hand.

On October 22 during a bus journey from Halbeath Road to Dunfermline bus station, he approached a female, sat next to her despite empty seats, asked personal questions including if she had a boyfriend, and later appeared at her workplace, Primark, causing fear and alarm.

The court heard Boyd has learning difficulties and receives 56 hours of weekly care from Fife Council. Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon noted no further offending at the time and admonished him, placing him on the register.

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A convicted rapist subjected a woman in Fife to a horrific three-day ordeal a fortnight after being released from prison.

Kyler Paterson, 30, was freed after his violent crimes in February this year but started attacking the woman almost immediately, including choking her.

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Kenan Baki spiked the drinks of both women after meeting them at a nightclub in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on 2 September 2023. 

Prosecutors at the High Court in Edinburgh played CCTV which showed the 46-year-old throughout the course of the evening as he searched for women. 

After approaching the first woman, he slipped an unknown substance into her drink. 

Baki sexually assaulted the woman while she was under the influence of that drug before she was led away from him by concerned members of the public. 

A short time later she became unwell, struggling to move and stay awake.  

Baki went on to engage a second woman in conversation before taking her to his nearby barber shop in the early hours of the morning.  

Additional CCTV footage showed the woman quickly losing consciousness before Baki carried her into the back of the shop where he raped her. 

On 28 October 2025, at the High Court in Kilmarnock, Baki was given an 11-year extended sentence with a nine-year custodial term.  

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely. 

A non-harassment order was also granted for an indefinite period.  

Fiona Kirkby, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said:

“Kenan Baki poses a significant danger to women through his sexually depraved and predatory actions.  

“The prosecution case showed he pursued these two women before intentionally drugging them so he could take advantage of their vulnerability. 

“He has now been held accountable for this horrific behaviour, which should send a clear message to all those who seek to sexually harm others.  

“I would urge anyone affected by similar offending to consider reporting their experiences when they feel ready and able. 

“You will be listened to and supported by our trauma-informed staff as we seek to secure justice using all the tools available to us.”  

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A 54-year-old man has been found guilty of multiple sexual and violent offences against women in Fife and Perthshire.

Ian Hendry committed rape, assaults, and serious assaults between 1987 and 2022, and was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh on October 16, 2025.

The former dog trainer was also found guilty of abusing animals in his care, and will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Detective Constable Dan Cogan of Police Scotland said:

"Hendry's offending spanned decades and he subjected women to sustained periods of physical and sexual abuse which continued over a number of years.

"Our thoughts remain with the victims who have had to endure the process of the trial and I thank them for their assistance with our investigations. I hope the verdict today brings them some sense of closure.

"Physical and sexual abuse will not be tolerated and time is no barrier to reporting a crime. I'd urge anyone who is experiencing abuse to report this to us so that we can fully investigate."

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A Fife IT worker told his three sex offence victims he had a medical condition leading to frequent physical arousal.

Craig Coleman filmed a woman performing a sex act on him in a van without her knowledge and showed the video to someone else.

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William Davidson, 46, a violent predator, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting two women over 23 years in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, and other locations. 

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Norman McFadyen described Davidson’s actions as an “appalling campaign” of abuse, noting he posed a “significant danger to women.” Despite no prior imprisonment, the judge ruled prison was the only suitable punishment, adding three years of supervised release and indefinite placement on the sex offenders’ register.

Davidson denied the charges but was convicted of 15 offences, including four rapes and assault endangering life, committed between 2000 and 2023. He abused his first victim with aggressive behavior, molestation, rape, and throttling. The second victim faced controlling behavior, isolation, social media monitoring, and violent rape attacks, with Davidson breaching a non-harassment order. A third woman was targeted in 2023 with abusive threats and uninvited visits.

Defence solicitor Gordon Martin KC noted Davidson’s claim of innocence and a gap in offending from 2011 to 2020. Detective Inspector Frank Keegan called Davidson a “violent, sexual predator,” expressing hope that the sentencing brings closure to the victims. Police Scotland urged reporting sexual crimes via 101 or Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

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A former Fife College lecturer is on the sex offenders register after brazenly trying to pass off sleazy messages as insightful sexual health guidance.

Andrew Zelaya stood trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court and was convicted of indecent communication after sending messages to a student with whom he had struck up a friendship.

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A man has been jailed for 16 years for violent and sexual crimes in the Fife, Dundee and Moray areas between 2006 and 2024.

Stephen Whitehurst, 44, was found guilty of 13 offences, including rapes, against five women at the High Court in Dundee on Tuesday, 5 August, 2025.

He was sentenced on Friday, 5 September, 2025, at the same court, to 16 years in prison, placed on the sex offenders register and given indefinite non-harassment orders in relation to all five women.

Detective Inspector Gordon Patullo said:

“Stephen Whitehurst clearly poses a threat to women and he now faces a lengthy period behind bars for these despicable crimes.

“I commend the strength of the women in coming forward to report his offending and throughout the court process. I hope the outcome brings them some form of justice.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling all reports of sexual crimes, regardless of when they happened. I’d urge anyone who has been a victim to report it to us. I can assure you, we will fully investigate and you will be supported by our specially trained officers and partner agencies.”