COLIN THOMSON FROM KENNOWAY SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ASSAULTS IN FIFE AND PERTH

A man from Kennoway, Colin Thomson, has been sentenced to prison after a series of violent and terrifying attacks on his long-term partner, which included life-threatening acts of physical abuse. The court proceedings revealed the severity of his actions, which left the victim fearing for her life during a particularly harrowing incident.

Thomson appeared via video link from Perth Prison to face sentencing for his repeated abusive behavior. He pleaded guilty to charges that included a brutal assault where he twice attempted to suffocate his partner, as well as other acts of violence and threats. The court heard that Thomson had a history of violent outbursts, with incidents spanning over two months, and had breached bail conditions multiple times.

The case was brought before Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, where the details of the abuse were laid bare. The prosecution, led by fiscal depute Ron Hay, described a chilling attack that took place on the night of April 3. According to Mr. Hay, the couple, who have two children and reside in Kennoway, were in their bedroom when Thomson suddenly became enraged and started shouting at his partner. In a fit of rage, he grabbed her by the throat with both hands and squeezed for nearly a minute, causing her to scream for help. The victim was described as being utterly terrified during the assault.

Thomson then pushed her to the ground and covered her mouth with his hands, pinching her nose in an attempt to suffocate her. At this point, the woman feared she might die, a sentiment echoed by Mr. Hay, who stated, “The witness thought she might die.” Fortunately, she managed to kick herself free from Thomson’s grip. Following the attack, Thomson made a callous remark, telling her, “it was all her fault,” and then proceeded to follow her upstairs.

While she was attending to a child who had woken up in the house, the woman placed a towel on the ground as a makeshift doorstop. Thomson, however, forced his way into the room and headbutted her without warning, even as she was holding the child. The police were contacted immediately, but Thomson refused to allow them entry. Shortly after, the woman left the house, crying uncontrollably.

Earlier incidents in February also painted a disturbing picture of Thomson’s violent tendencies. On February 9, a dispute erupted within the family home, which the court was told was rooted in Thomson’s suspicion that his partner had been unfaithful. During this altercation, Thomson became aggressive, shouting and swearing. He retrieved a kitchen knife and held it against his own neck, threatening to cut his throat, while children were present in the room. The victim was forced to escape through a window, and a neighbor heard her crying for help. Police were called to the scene.

Further troubling behavior was documented on April 6, when police visited the victim following messages and a call from Thomson. Officers informed her of new bail restrictions that prohibited Thomson from contacting her. Despite this, early the next morning, Thomson visited her home, spoke to her through the letterbox, and threw stones at her window. He also threatened to damage her car. The victim, alarmed by the continued harassment, woke up at 8:10 am to numerous text messages from Thomson and promptly contacted the police. The relationship between the two is now officially over.

During the court hearing, Thomson’s defense solicitor, Brian Black, expressed remorse, stating that Thomson felt “sickened with himself and disgusted by what he’d done.” Black acknowledged that Thomson accepted that custody was inevitable, especially since he had not been accepted into the Caledonian Men’s Programme. The solicitor emphasized that Thomson’s focus should now be on rebuilding his life and accepting the end of his relationship, which he admitted had taken him a long time to come to terms with.

Thomson admitted to acting in a threatening manner in February, assaulting his partner twice in April, attempting to suffocate her, and headbutting her while she was holding a child. He also confessed to breaching bail orders. Sheriff James Williamson described the assault as “a shocking example of violence” and sentenced Thomson to a total of three years in prison. Additionally, the court imposed non-harassment orders lasting five years to protect the victim from further contact or intimidation.