June 2022 Scots man stabbed dog to death with screwdriver and buried body in public park A convicted sex offender has appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court via video link from Perth prison after he admitted brutally killing his family dog Buddy with a screwdriver on April 1 this year. The German shepherd’s remains were found burned and buried in a shallow grave in a public park after the horrific attack. Bradley Simpson, who has a long history of convictions for violence as well as grooming and engaging a schoolgirl into sexual activity – was locked up pending the preparation of reports after a sheriff was told he had already been freed five times on bail prior to the attack. He admitted causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering by repeatedly stabbing it with a screwdriver in the city’s Honeygreen Road and Linlathen Park. He remains in prison on remand He had his sentence further deferred after defence solicitor Carolyn Leckie said: He has been made a target in prison. Sheriff Gregor Murray deferred sentence for one week to allow the defence to gain sanction for a fresh review. Buddy – which belonged to the accused’s mother Maureen Murdoch had been in the family home when they went to bed but was missing the next morning. An alert was posted for the missing animal on a locally-targeted social media site and a search was carried out by a number of people. Witnesses were walking in Linlathen park when they saw a fire, but they initially thought nothing of it as fires were a regular occurrence in the area. Meanwhile, Mrs Murdoch observed a pool of blood at the door of her home and splashes of blood within the living room and kitchen area. When she went outside to investigate further she saw further blood spattering on the side of the house. Simpson was quizzed about what had gone on and made comments about killing the dog and telling his family they would never see him again. He later spoke about being inspired to carry out the horrific slaying of the family pet after watching a Netflix series based around rescue dogs. It then emerged that witnesses in the park saw a scorched patch of ground close to a mound of disturbed soil which looked like it had been recently dug. When the mound was scraped back it revealed the charred remains of a dog, which was subsequently confirmed to be missing Buddy. Simpson has a number of previous convictions, including for domestic abuse, under-age sex offending, theft and assault to permanent disfigurement. January 2017 Teenager admits sexual activity with young girl A sex pest had sex with a young female child At Dundee Sheriff Court, Bradley Simpson, 19, of Honegreen Road, admitted committing the offence. The court heard that Simpson was 16 when he had sex with the child at a property in the city. The offence took place in May 2014. He was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within the community. Simpson was also placed under supervision for 12 months. April 2015 Dundee teenager struck man with brick during argument A teenager smashed a brick off a man’s head, scarring him for life. Dundee Sheriff Court heard Bradley Simpson, 17, of Honeygreen Road, carried out the assault on Peter Smith during an argument. Barry Simpson, 26, of Balunie Avenue, also brandished a brick at Mr Smith in a garden in Fintry. Fiscal depute Nicola Gillespie told the court Mr Smith was left with a cut to his head which needed stitches. The drama unfolded when Mr Smith, who was known to the Simpsons, approached them in Findowrie Street and asked them to leave. The fiscal continued: “Barry Simpson brandished a brick at Mr Smith and Bradley Simpson then entered the garden and also approached Mr Smith with a brick and hit him with it. “Police were contacted and officers traced Mr Smith with blood on his face and a two-inch cut on his head.” Bradley Simpson admitted assaulting Peter Smith by striking him on the head with a brick to his injury and permanent disfigurement on May 4 last year at Findowrie Place. Barry Simpson admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by acting aggressively, threatening to damage property, brandishing a brick or similar instrument, and uttering threats of violence on the same date and location. Sentence was deferred until May 5.