PAUL RITCHIE FROM DOLPHINTON INVOLVED IN HORRIFIC GUNFIRE INCIDENT IN LANARKSHIRE

In June 2022, a terrifying incident unfolded in the quiet village of Dolphinton, Lanarkshire, that left a local woman and her children in a state of shock and fear. Emma Davis, a 40-year-old mother, recounted her harrowing experience when she believed her children’s lives were in imminent danger after a man, later identified as Paul Ritchie, began firing shots from his garden.

Emma was walking her Staffordshire bull terrier, Maya, along a peaceful street in Dolphinton when she first noticed Ritchie emerging from his residence, Grange Cottage. Without warning, Ritchie started making threatening gestures and verbally abusing her, creating an atmosphere of immediate danger. The situation escalated rapidly when Ritchie viciously attacked her dog, kicking Maya so severely that the animal sustained injuries severe enough to warrant euthanasia. Emma described the attack as brutal and shocking, especially given the tranquil setting of their village.

As the confrontation intensified, Ritchie returned to his garden and was seen standing on a bird bath, armed with what appeared to be a firearm. Emma, who is only 5 feet 5 inches tall and a size 8, stated that she and the children were backing away from the scene, feeling vulnerable and terrified. Suddenly, Ritchie began firing in their direction, with Emma recalling the popping noises and the chaos that ensued. She expressed her disbelief at the situation, emphasizing that she genuinely thought her children might be killed during the incident. The scene was so alarming that it drew a significant police response, with armed officers arriving to contain the threat.

It was later confirmed by police that Ritchie’s weapon was a paintball gun, which offered little comfort to Emma and her family. The trauma of the event led Emma to move away from Dolphinton, seeking safety and peace after the ordeal. She described her sleepless nights and the lasting impact the incident had on her mental health.

Paul Ritchie, a 35-year-old local resident, was taken into custody and faced charges at Airdrie Sheriff Court. He admitted to discharging a paintball gun recklessly and culpably in the direction of Emma and her four children. Additionally, Ritchie pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Maya and to assaulting two police officers during his arrest. Ritchie is known to have a criminal history, including a 12-month jail sentence last year for sending threatening and vile emails to prominent politicians such as former House of Commons speaker John Bercow, ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, former home secretary Amber Rudd, and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford. These emails contained threats of violence, including shooting and decapitation.

Judge Hughes has deferred sentencing Ritchie until next month, pending further background checks and an assessment of his mental health. Bail conditions remain in place, and the case continues to be closely monitored by authorities. The incident has left the Dolphinton community shaken, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals with violent tendencies and the importance of swift police intervention in such frightening situations.