KEVIN RUSHFORD FROM KINCARDINE HARASSES WOMAN OVER ASBESTOS IN OAKLEY HOUSE

A woman endured relentless harassment for a period of six years following the discovery of asbestos in a property she had previously sold. The distressing ordeal began when Amanda Paterson received a barrage of correspondence accusing her of fraud, all stemming from allegations made by Kevin Rushford, a man with ties to the Kincardine area.

Rushford, whose mother moved into the house located in Oakley in 2008, claimed that Ms. Paterson owed him money. His actions escalated to the point where he contacted her employer directly, attempting to tarnish her reputation and pursue his vendetta. The situation reached a legal turning point when Rushford, aged 54 and residing on Windyhill Avenue in Kincardine, appeared before Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Following his court appearance, a non-harassment order was issued against him, prohibiting any further contact with Ms. Paterson. Additionally, Rushford was sentenced to a community payback order with a supervision period of two years and was ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation for the distress caused.

Rushford was convicted after a trial of engaging in conduct that was intended to frighten or alarm Ms. Paterson, as well as her family members and employer. The court found that he had repeatedly sent defamatory letters, falsely accusing her of fraud and claiming she was owed compensation. These actions took place at James Hog Crescent in Oakley, over a span from December 2010 to November 2016.

During the trial, Rushford defended his actions by stating that a warning sign about asbestos was discovered shortly after his mother purchased the house. He claimed that the asbestos removal process had cost approximately £25,000, and that the property had been restored at significant expense. Despite his assertions, the court was not convinced by his justification.

Sheriff Craig McSherry expressed his dismay upon reviewing a letter from Rushford’s mother, who shared her son’s obsessive focus on asbestos. The sheriff remarked, “It’s a complete obsession with asbestos. There has never been any civil proceedings over this matter. Instead, he embarked on a campaign of harassment against this lady.” The case highlights the serious consequences of persistent and malicious conduct, especially when fueled by unfounded claims and personal vendettas.