DAVID BOOTH SENTENCED IN LEVEN FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE AGAINST TWO WOMEN

In a serious case of domestic violence and assault, David Booth, a 58-year-old man from Station Court in Leven, has been handed down a significant prison sentence following a series of brutal offences committed over a span of nearly two years. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of violence, abduction, and threats directed at two women, with Booth’s actions leaving lasting physical and emotional scars.

Booth was convicted by a jury of multiple charges, including assault, abduction, and threats made against a woman during various incidents that took place between February 1, 2014, and January 1, 2015. The court also found him guilty of similar offences against another woman, occurring between September 10 and November 16 of the same year. These incidents involved repeated acts of physical violence, intimidation, and unlawful detention, highlighting a prolonged period of abusive behaviour.

One of the most heinous acts committed by Booth was biting off part of his first victim’s lower lip, an assault that occurred in a Glasgow pub on January 2, 2015. He spat out the torn tissue onto the floor, causing her severe injury and permanent disfigurement. The woman required emergency surgery the following day to reconstruct her lip, but despite medical intervention, she continues to experience partial speech impairment and numbness in her lip, underscoring the lasting impact of Booth’s brutality.

Following his conviction, Booth appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, where he faced additional charges related to the same pattern of violence. The court sentenced him to an additional three years in prison, bringing his total incarceration to 36 months. Sheriff Alistair Thornton also issued non-harassment orders against Booth, restricting him from contacting or approaching both women for a period of five years.

The court detailed the extent of Booth’s violence, including repeated head strikes, clenched fists raised in threats of violence, physical grabbing, and aggressive pushing. He also engaged in acts of intimidation such as throwing drinks at the women and forcibly locking them inside properties to prevent their escape. These incidents occurred at locations including Chalmers Street in Dunfermline and BJ’s pub in Glasgow, with Booth repeatedly detaining the women against their will and causing them injury.

In addition to the assaults on the first woman, Booth was found guilty of threatening and abusing another former partner. These offences took place at North Street in Leslie and Blair Place in Kirkcaldy between September 10, 2016, and November 16, 2016. His actions included threats of violence, uninvited entries into her home, physical assaults such as pushing her against walls, and standing in front of doors to prevent her from leaving. These repeated acts of coercion and violence further demonstrated a pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour.

During the court hearing, Booth’s solicitor, Scott McKenzie, presented a different side of his client, revealing that Booth has been in a new relationship for approximately a year and is engaged to be married. McKenzie submitted a three-page letter from Booth’s new partner, appealing for leniency and requesting that a non-custodial sentence be considered. He also highlighted that Booth had suffered childhood trauma and abandonment issues but has since become sober and maintained gainful employment.

Depute fiscal Ronnie Hay emphasized the need for protective measures, moving for the imposition of non-harassment orders to safeguard the victims. Sheriff Thornton agreed and ordered these restrictions to remain in place for five years, ensuring ongoing protection for both women. The case underscores the severity of Booth’s actions and the lasting consequences for those affected by his violence.