CHRISTOPHER BYRNE'S COWDENBEATH CRIME SPREE: STEROID-DRIVEN ABUSE AND VIOLENCE LEADS TO £2,000 FINE

A man from Cowdenbeath, Christopher Byrne, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to a prolonged course of abusive behavior towards his former partner, which spanned nearly two years. The 33-year-old electrician's actions included emotional manipulation, physical outbursts, and the dissemination of explicit videos, culminating in a court order for compensation and community service.

Byrne's offending history was detailed at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, where a sheriff described his conduct as involving almost two years of “effectively terrorising” the woman. The court heard that the relationship initially appeared healthy but deteriorated after Byrne began using steroids approximately six months into their relationship. His partner observed a marked change in his temperament, with increased irritability and hostility.

The prosecution, led by Procurator Fiscal depute Azrah Yousaf, outlined how Byrne accused his partner of infidelity, specifically alleging she was looking at other men at the gym. He also demanded she delete followers from her Instagram account, which contained contacts she did not personally know. These accusations and demands marked the beginning of a pattern of controlling and abusive behavior.

On one notable occasion, Byrne's anger manifested physically when he picked up a washing basket during an argument and repeatedly struck it against the floor until it shattered. Over subsequent months, the situation worsened, with the woman becoming increasingly frightened of Byrne’s unpredictable outbursts. She recounted an incident after a housewarming party where Byrne shouted insults at her, calling her a “sl*t” and an “ugly” person. Another altercation saw Byrne push her, prompting her to leave the house, which she described as the beginning of the end of their relationship.

The court also heard about the disturbing social media harassment Byrne subjected his ex-partner to. Despite her attempts to block him, Byrne continued to contact her by changing his accounts and sending offensive messages. These included calling her a “fat sl*t,” “f***ing loser,” and a “tramp.” The situation escalated when Byrne sent her a video of the two of them engaged in sexual activity, which she was aware of but was concerned he had kept. This prompted her to contact the police.

During the hearing, Byrne’s defense lawyer, Mr. McIlwham, emphasized that there was no evidence Byrne posted the video online or threatened to do so. He highlighted Byrne’s remorse and regret, noting that the steroids he used likely impacted his behavior. The lawyer also pointed out that Byrne, who resides on Lilac Avenue in Clydebank and is planning to move to Lime Place in Uddingston, has a history of violence, including convictions in 2016 and 2017. Despite this, Byrne expressed a desire to apologize to his victim and demonstrated some remorse.

Sheriff Charles Macnair acknowledged Byrne’s past convictions and the severity of his recent actions. He described the behavior as a course of conduct that involved nearly two years of abuse and terrorization. The sheriff noted Byrne’s claim that his actions were influenced by drug use and mental health issues, which he considered to make the case even more serious. Despite Byrne’s criminal record, the sheriff decided to impose a community payback order, including 270 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay £2,000 in compensation to the victim. Additionally, Byrne was placed under a three-year offender supervision period and a five-year non-harassment order was issued to protect the woman.

Sheriff Macnair warned Byrne that any breach of the court orders would result in his return to court and likely imprisonment, emphasizing the seriousness with which the court viewed his conduct.