JAMES BARR FROM DUNDEE CONVICTED OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND LOSING JOB AT GEOAMEY

James Barr, a man known for his controlling behavior, has faced serious legal consequences following his conviction for domestic abuse. Barr, aged 30 and residing at Orchard Court in Dundee, was employed by GEOAmey, where he was responsible for managing cells at courts across Tayside and Angus. His role involved overseeing detainees and ensuring security within the judicial system. However, his professional life was abruptly disrupted when he was found guilty of a series of abusive actions committed against his former partner, leading to his dismissal from his position.

The conviction was handed down after a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, where evidence revealed that Barr engaged in a prolonged campaign of abusive conduct spanning approximately 30 months, from May 22, 2022, to December 6, 2023. During this period, Barr subjected his former partner to relentless harassment, including sending numerous love messages and making frequent phone calls in an attempt to control her. Court reports detailed how Barr’s persistent and excessive communication extended beyond normal boundaries, often involving electronic messages and calls aimed at monitoring her whereabouts and social interactions.

Furthermore, Barr’s aggressive and manipulative behavior included physically assaulting an infant boy by dropping him onto the woman’s chest, loitering uninvited at her residence, and throwing her belongings from a vehicle in a display of intimidation. He also repeatedly threatened to harm himself, a tactic used to manipulate her emotions and maintain control over her. The woman testified that her perception of Barr’s behavior shifted after about six months, noting that he became increasingly jealous and controlling, especially concerning her interactions with colleagues and friends. She described him as ‘controlling and manipulating,’ and admitted that she only recently realized the full extent of his controlling tendencies.

Her account detailed how Barr would turn up unannounced at her home, make unwanted visits to her workplace, and continue to contact her daily through calls and texts even after their relationship ended. Despite her clear requests to limit communication to essential family matters, Barr persisted in his efforts to stay involved in her life. The court observed that Barr’s demeanor was aggressive, and he refused to accept ‘no’ for an answer, demonstrating a pattern of controlling behavior that persisted well beyond the breakup.

In addition to his verbal and physical actions, Barr also sent videos, photographs, and songs to his former partner, further illustrating his manipulative tactics aimed at exerting influence over her. During mitigation, Barr’s legal representative acknowledged that he had lost his employment due to the incident and expressed remorse for his actions. A social work report was cited, which rated his risk of reoffending as minimal, and it was noted that Barr suffers from anxiety and depression, having served in the British Army before leaving in 2018.

The sheriff sentenced Barr to 250 hours of unpaid community service to be completed over six months. Additionally, he was banned from contacting the victim for a period of five years. The judge emphasized that Barr’s abusive conduct lasted for more than two and a half years and was precisely the type of behavior criminalized under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act. While acknowledging Barr’s remorse, the judge highlighted the profound impact his actions had on the woman and on himself, particularly due to the loss of his job. The court also noted that Barr’s arrest and subsequent prosecution served as a ‘salutary’ lesson, providing him with insight into the seriousness of his controlling behavior and its consequences.