JAMES HAGGERTY FOUND IN GLENROTHES HOME AFTER MISSING GIRL ALERT IN FIFE
In a distressing development, authorities confirmed that a 16-year-old girl reported missing was found in the residence of James Haggerty in Glenrothes, Fife.The case initially drew public attention after police issued an urgent appeal on December 30 of the previous year, seeking help in locating the girl, who was believed to be in residential care prior to her disappearance.
Subsequent investigations revealed credible sightings of Haggerty with the girl during Hogmanay celebrations on January 1, prompting increased police scrutiny of his activities.
Haggerty, a registered high-risk sex offender, was found to have harbored the girl at his Julian Road residence shortly after his release from prison.
Police reports indicated that Haggerty admitted sheltering her in his home, though authorities clarified there was no evidence of malicious intent involving the girl, who was missing from her care facility.
During the police investigation, officers attempted to contact Haggerty, who responded aggressively.
According to fiscal depute Nicola Caira, Haggerty reacted with hostility, threatened legal action against police, and was annoyed when officers arrived.
Despite attempts to communicate via messages and calls, police confirmed the girl was inside his home.
Haggerty initially claimed he was working in Edinburgh but later indicated awareness of police presence.
When informed they would forcibly enter, Haggerty became verbally aggressive, threatening violence and property damage.
Police eventually entered and found the girl and another child inside.
Haggerty’s behavior escalated as he approached police with “combative body language,” attempted to flee, and resisted arrest.
During his detention, he assaulted officers on three occasions.
Haggerty, who had been remanded at HMP Perth, pleaded guilty to all charges.
His solicitor, Lee Qumsieh, explained the girl had approached Haggerty at the Glenrothes bus station after leaving a residential care home, asking to use his phone.
Haggerty responded by encouraging her to return home and admitted he should have known better, given his own past in the care system.
In court, the Crown confirmed there was no evidence of “sinister” activity involving the girl, and Sheriff Alastair Carmichael questioned whether anything inappropriate had occurred.
Haggerty was classified as a “very high risk” sex offender, and as an alternative to imprisonment, he was placed under a six-month restriction of liberty order, limiting his movements between 7pm and 7am.
In November 2025, further sentencing revealed the girl was rescued from Haggerty’s home when her family forced entry after a neighbor called police.
Haggerty had locked her inside and physically assaulted her in a terrifying ordeal.
He appeared via video-link from prison at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court and was sentenced to two years in custody, with an extended sentence of two years’ imprisonment followed by one year’s supervision.
Haggerty admitted to breaching the December 2020 sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) by having unsupervised contact with a 13-year-old girl on March 6, 2025.
He abducted her at The Henge, Glenrothes, where he had also physically restrained her, assaulted her, and injured her during the struggle.
The court heard that on March 7, Haggerty shouted, swore, threatened officers with violence, and threw household items, also presenting knives and a hammer at police.
On March 6, the 13-year-old girl willingly went to Haggerty’s home with a 16-year-old friend.
The older girl left briefly, and Haggerty locked the door, making the younger girl uncomfortable.
An ensuing struggle occurred when she repeatedly asked to leave.
Haggerty pushed her against a wall, then pushed her to the ground, injuring her back and knee.
He held her on a mattress, covering her with a duvet, and threatened her with phrases like “if you talk, move or anything, see what happens,” leaving her “frozen with fear.” Her mother, involved via social media, and a relative arrived at the house after neighbors called police.
They forced entry and found the girl beneath the covers.
Haggerty fled before police arrived but was later located after threats to jump from a bridge and self-harm.
Police observed him at a friend's house with a broken nose and cuts.
After a two-hour standoff involving firearms officers and police dogs, Haggerty surrendered, shouting threats to shoot or harm himself.
