AARON KYLE FROM LOCHGELLY SENTENCED FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THREATS IN FIFE

In a disturbing case of domestic abuse that spanned over four and a half years, Aaron Kyle, a 38-year-old resident of Lochgelly, was found guilty of a series of violent and threatening behaviors directed towards his long-term partner. The incidents took place primarily in the towns of Kelty and Lochgelly, both located within Fife, and the case was heard at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Although Kyle is currently serving time for unrelated offences, he was convicted after a trial that revealed a pattern of relentless abuse and intimidation. The court has mandated that upon his release, he will be required to complete a maximum of 300 hours of unpaid community service, participate in a project designed to rehabilitate domestic offenders, and maintain a strict order to stay away from his former partner to prevent further harm.

The timeline of Kyle’s abusive conduct stretches from April 2019 to October 2023, during which he engaged in a sustained campaign of terror against his victim. His actions included shouting, swearing, and aggressive behavior, often accompanied by offensive remarks aimed at her. He repeatedly tried to isolate her from friends and family by discouraging her from social interactions and demanding to know her whereabouts and the identities of those she associated with.

His violence extended to physical assaults, including destroying household furniture and personal belongings, and repeatedly striking her. Notably, in September 2019, he physically pulled her down by her clothing and dragged her along the floor. In December of the same year, he threw an ashtray at her, further demonstrating his violent tendencies.

In 2022, while his partner was pregnant, Kyle assaulted her by striking her on the head and attempting to bite her. The following year, in September, he threatened her with violence while she was holding a baby, adding to the severity of his threats. October 2022 saw him seizing her by the throat, an act that underscores the dangerous nature of his conduct.

Early in 2023, Kyle threw a tin containing alcohol at her and brandished a lighter and a can of deodorant in her presence, threatening to set her on fire. His violent behavior persisted into September 2023, when he repeatedly seized her physically. On October 18, at her home, he was recorded kicking her and banging on the front door while making offensive comments.

Throughout these incidents, Kyle was on bail, which highlights the ongoing risk he posed. His criminal record includes previous convictions for domestic abuse in 2014 and a domestic assault in 2011, indicating a pattern of violent behavior towards intimate partners.

Solicitor Zander Flett explained that Kyle is soon to be released from a prison sentence for other offences, which was imposed in January. Flett noted that Kyle continues to deny some aspects of his convictions but acknowledged that his actions have significantly impacted his victim.

During the sentencing, Sheriff Susan Duff clarified that because the case was brought as a summary complaint, the maximum sentence available was only 12 months. She ordered Kyle to undertake community service, placed him under supervision for two years, and mandated his participation in the Caledonian Men’s project aimed at domestic offender rehabilitation. Additionally, she issued a non-harassment order protecting the victim for 12 months.

Sheriff Duff expressed her disappointment with the case being handled as a summary complaint, emphasizing that the case warranted more serious proceedings. She concluded by stating, “This case should never have been on a summary complaint. I am restricted to a maximum sentence of 12 months. You should be under no illusions, I am imposing this sentence for the protection of the public.”