KENNETH SOLWAY'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN DUNFERLINE AND ST ANDREWS: DOMESTIC ABUSE AND KITTEN MURDER SHOCKS COMMUNITY

Kenneth Solway, aged 26, has been at the center of a disturbing case involving severe domestic violence and the tragic death of three kittens, which has sent shockwaves through the communities of Dunfermline and St Andrews. The incident unfolded after Solway and a woman he was involved with had spent the night out in Dundee, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and cultural scene.

According to court records, the altercation began during the journey back to St Andrews. The pair had been drinking in Dundee, and their night out culminated in a heated argument while they were in a taxi heading home. The dispute escalated to the point where Solway exited the cab at Forgan Roundabout, near the A92, and later arrived at the woman’s residence in St Andrews. Witnesses described Solway as being visibly agitated, shouting in a fit of rage, which alarmed those nearby.

Once at her home, the situation worsened. The court documents detail that Solway, in a state of extreme agitation, physically assaulted the woman. He reportedly grabbed her by the ankles, pulled her onto the floor, and then proceeded to punch and kick her repeatedly in the head and body. The assault was so severe that the woman managed to escape by jumping out of a window, fleeing her home in a desperate attempt to seek help. She ran as fast as she could to a neighbor’s house, where she called the police around 4:30 a.m.

When law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, they found Solway in a nearby street, visibly intoxicated, with blood on his shirt and a cut on his knuckle. The police arrested him on the spot. Inside the woman’s residence, officers discovered a scene of destruction: furniture was broken, windows shattered, and the three kittens, who had been living in the home, were found dead. The first kitten, a small ginger, was located behind the front door. The second, a kitten with blood on its paws and around its nose and mouth, was found on the living room floor. The third was discovered in a bedroom beneath a broken window.

Post-mortem examinations revealed that the kittens had died from brain trauma and skull fractures, indicating violent injuries inflicted during the assault. The tragic deaths of the kittens added a horrifying dimension to the case, highlighting the brutality of the incident.

Solway, who resides at Garden Court, Townhill, Dunfermline, appeared before Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to face charges. He pleaded guilty to several offences, including assault and threatening behavior, which were domestically aggravated. The charges stemmed from an incident on January 21 of the previous year, during which he shouted, swore, and made derogatory remarks to the woman, damaged household items, smashed windows, issued threats of violence, and killed the three kittens.

He also admitted to a separate charge of threatening or abusive behavior on January 18, 2022, related to a threatening phone call to the same woman. The court heard that these actions were unplanned and largely driven by his intoxicated state at the time. His defense lawyer, David Cranston, argued that Solway’s reactions were influenced by his troubled upbringing and previous trauma, which had affected his behavior during his teenage years and early twenties.

Mr. Cranston emphasized that Solway, who has a history of seven prior offenses, was seeking a chance to rehabilitate himself. He expressed hope that his client could participate in the Caledonian Men’s programme, aimed at addressing domestic offending and breaking the cycle of violence and incarceration. The lawyer also highlighted that Solway now owns a five-year-old German Shepherd rescue dog, has been employed recently in Dunfermline, and has been making efforts to turn his life around. Since the crimes, he has abstained from alcohol and drugs, and has managed to stay out of trouble for the past two years, which he described as the longest period of sobriety and stability since he was 17.

In sentencing, Sheriff Steven Borthwick condemned Solway’s actions as “utterly appalling” and noted his poor criminal record. He sentenced Solway to 180 hours of unpaid work and placed him under a two-year community payback order. As part of this order, Solway is required to participate in the Caledonian Men’s programme, live in approved accommodation, and inform authorities of any new intimate relationships. Additionally, he is prohibited from contacting the woman involved in the incident for two years, underscoring the seriousness of the case and the community’s need for protection from further harm.