BRENDAN BROWN FROM COUPAR ANGUS INVOLVED IN HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE AND THREATS IN PERTH AND BLAIRGOWRIE

Brendan Brown, a 20-year-old resident of Hay Street in Coupar Angus, found himself in serious legal trouble after a disturbing series of events that unfolded involving his former partner. The incident, which took place in Blairgowrie and was brought before Perth Sheriff Court, revealed a pattern of threatening behavior and animal cruelty that has shocked the local community and raised concerns about the misuse of social media platforms.

According to court records, Brown had engaged in a series of threatening messages sent via Snapchat to his ex-girlfriend. These messages included explicit threats to harm her family, notably a direct threat to kill her father. The situation escalated further when Brown was recorded on video physically assaulting her pet dog, Luna, a small terrier. The footage showed him slapping and punching the defenseless animal, actions that Sheriff William Wood described as deeply troubling. The sheriff expressed his concern, stating, "It is a matter of concern that you behaved in this particular way, and that you took out your anger and frustration on a defenceless animal."

Brown admitted to a single charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner that was likely to cause fear and alarm to his ex-girlfriend and her mother, which occurred in Blairgowrie on April 6. The court was informed that the messages he sent contained violent language and threats, and police investigations uncovered a video showing him physically assaulting Luna. Law enforcement officers attended Brown’s residence, collected screenshots of the threatening messages, and subsequently charged him with the offences.

During proceedings, Brown’s solicitor explained that the relationship difficulties at the time contributed to his behavior, describing it as an “over-reaction” for which he expressed remorse. The court decided to defer sentencing until November 10, providing Brown with the opportunity to participate in the Right Track programme, a rehabilitation initiative aimed at young offenders. Interestingly, the victim chose not to pursue a non-harassment order against Brown, indicating a level of forgiveness or a desire to resolve the matter without further legal restrictions.

This case underscores the dangers associated with social media platforms like Snapchat, which are designed to automatically delete viewed videos. Despite this, police were able to recover recordings of the abuse, highlighting the importance of digital evidence in modern criminal investigations. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for greater awareness and regulation regarding online behavior and animal protection laws in the Coupar Angus and Blairgowrie communities.