ALEXANDER MCGHEE SENTENCED IN FIFE FOR CRUELTY TO DOG

Alexander Andrew McGhee, born on 27 February 1974 and residing on Wellesley Road, Methil, KY8 3PF, was convicted of severely beating a rescue dog to death in a drunken rage. The dog, named Murphy, sustained multiple injuries including wounds on his sides, lower back, abdomen, neck, and a brain bleed which resulted in his death.

McGhee, a ScotRail train driver based at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, denied causing Murphy’s death but was found guilty after a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court. Witnesses reported hearing a drunken McGhee return home in the early hours of 8 July 2017, followed by sounds of yelping, scrabbling, and shouting including the words “bastard” and noises that suggested a dog being thrown against a wall.

Neighbours testified that they left their own property due to the distressing noise and called police hours later. During his initial interview, McGhee claimed that Murphy had fled from his flat after he left the door open accidentally, and he later found the dog deceased at the roadside, believing he had been hit by a vehicle. He showed officers Murphy’s body, which he had placed in his car’s boot.

When questioned about injuries to his hand, McGhee claimed he punched the wall out of temper after the dog’s escape. However, veterinary evidence contradicted his account, indicating the injuries resulted from being hit, kicked, or shaken with considerable force. Veterinary pathologist Dr Bryn Tennant stated, “The outcome of the post-mortem examination was that this dog had been subjected to multiple traumatic incidents. The injuries were not consistent with a road traffic accident.”

Dr Tennant added, “The bleeding around the brain is the same as boxers get when they haemorrhage,” and noted that if Murphy had been hit by a vehicle, there would likely have been damage to the skin or paws, which was not present.

In his defense, McGhee, visibly emotional, testified that he adopted Murphy as a puppy in 2013, describing him as “the biggest sook” who was “full of worms and fleas” when rescued. He said the dog, named after tennis star Andy Murray, was very friendly and would go to anyone. Regarding finding Murphy’s body, McGhee recounted, “He was just lying there. Just cold. Heavy. He had a tiny bit of blood coming out of his mouth. That was it. Several men on their way to work offered to help me put him in the car.”

His lawyer, Scott McKenzie, questioned him about neighbors hearing distressing noises and whether he had been involved in any 'distressing conduct,' to which McGhee replied, “I’m not going to rescue dogs to hurt them.” When asked if he lost his temper and caused the dog agony before his death, McGhee firmly said, “No.”

Prosecutor Ronnie Hay accused McGhee of lying, stating that he returned home intoxicated and aggressive, and that he took out his anger on the dogs. He pointed out that neighbors heard shouting, slapping sounds, and observed a bottle of bleach outside the property upon returning, denying that the noise was from a dog fight.

McGhee dismissed these allegations, claiming the neighbors harbored a grudge against his police officer partner. After considering all evidence, Sheriff Alistair Thornton concluded McGhee caused Murphy’s death through blunt force trauma and found him guilty.

Sheriff Thornton emphasized, “The veterinary evidence indicated the extent of blunt force trauma was substantial. The social work report also showed that McGhee maintained denial of the offence, with no remorse expressed.”

In sentencing, the sheriff decided on a community payback order, including 240 hours of unpaid work, and imposed a 20-year ban on owning or having sole custody of any dog. Despite the conviction, McGhee and his partner continue to care for another rescue dog, Dora, who has been looked after by a relative since the incident.

McGhee’s solicitor noted that a rescue charity monitored Dora and that there were no concerns about her or a guinea pig the couple owned. Supporters are encouraged to sign a petition via Change.org calling on McGhee’s employer, Abellio ScotRail, to dismiss him in protest against animal cruelty.