ANDREW REILLY FROM CARDENDEN INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE IN FIFE AND LOCHGELLY

In a disturbing case of domestic abuse, Andrew Reilly, a 39-year-old man from Kirkburn Drive in Cardenden, has been accused of subjecting his former partner to a prolonged campaign of harassment and threats earlier this year. The incidents, which spanned over two weeks, involved relentless communication, false allegations, and intimidating behavior that caused significant distress to the victim.

According to reports presented at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, Reilly bombarded his ex-partner with an overwhelming number of texts and phone calls, with police estimating that there were probably over 100 separate instances of contact. The woman, whose identity remains protected, was subjected to a series of abusive acts that included not only persistent messaging but also manipulative tactics aimed at controlling her life.

One of the more troubling aspects of Reilly’s harassment involved the delivery of numerous takeaway meals from local establishments to her residence in Cardenden. These deliveries continued over several days, forcing the woman to repeatedly explain to delivery drivers that Reilly was responsible for the orders. This was part of his apparent strategy to exert psychological pressure and remind her of his presence, thereby maintaining a form of control over her.

Adding to the distress, Reilly also attempted to tarnish her reputation by sending an email to her employer, a care home where she worked. The email falsely claimed that the woman was suspected of drug use, specifically alleging that she had been sniffing in the toilet and was possibly addicted to drugs. The message read: “I’m sure I heard her sniffing the other day in the toilet. Now, the girl is polite and nice but just zips in and falls about all over the house… she must have drug addictions.” The care home manager recognized the email as a hoax, noting that it was poorly written and did not refer to any specific service user, raising suspicions about its authenticity.

Throughout this period, the victim faced ongoing intimidation. Despite her efforts to block Reilly’s contact, he persisted, even borrowing a friend’s phone to make additional calls. During one such call, he used a withheld number and remained silent for about seven seconds, only heavy breathing audible on the line. This was followed by five more calls that same night and several more the next day, all of which she chose not to answer. Police officers attending her home on April 14 observed her receiving three more calls from a private number. On one occasion, an officer answered the call, but the line went dead. Reilly continued his harassment by calling her again and making offensive remarks about a sensitive matter, which was overheard by the officers present.

In total, the victim received nine calls before 6 am and an additional 23 calls between 6:30 and 11 am on that day. She also received multiple text messages of an offensive and sexual nature, including one that read: “Answer or I promise I will get you at 10:30. Ba***rd.”

Reilly pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of abusive behavior, which involved excessive phone and text contact, threats, and silent calls with heavy breathing, all occurring between March 28 and April 14. However, during proceedings, it was noted from a social work report that Reilly did not believe he needed to participate in the Caledonian Programme, a scheme designed to address domestic abuse offenders.

Sheriff David Hall commented on the case, describing it as a classic example of domestic abuse. He pointed out that Reilly was attempting to shift blame onto his victim and highlighted his lengthy history of similar offenses, spanning approximately 12 years. The sheriff ordered a supplementary report to determine whether Reilly would undertake the recommended rehabilitation program. Sentencing was deferred until August 3, and a three-year non-harassment order was imposed to prevent Reilly from contacting the victim. Sheriff Hall warned that any breach of this order would result in imprisonment.

In a related development, Reilly, now 38, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court via video link from custody. He admitted to engaging in abusive behavior towards his former partner at various locations in Lochgelly, Lochore, and Kirkcaldy, including persistent calls, texts, and social media messages, as well as making false allegations to her employer. His defense solicitor, Alexander Flett, explained that the couple had briefly reunited in January but separated again by March, with Reilly feeling upset upon discovering that his ex-partner had not ended their previous relationship. Reilly’s prior convictions for domestic offenses were also noted.

Sheriff Francis Gill deferred sentencing until July 13 to allow for an assessment for the Caledonian Programme, and bail was granted. The case underscores the ongoing issues of domestic abuse and the importance of legal measures to protect victims from further harm.