LIAM GOVE ABERDEEN DOG BEATER AND DOMESTIC ABUSER SHOCKS SCOTLAND

Liam Gove, a resident of Cummings Park Crescent in Aberdeen, has been convicted of a series of disturbing acts of domestic violence and animal cruelty. The incident, which took place in Aberdeen, involved Gove viciously assaulting his partner and a defenseless Staffordshire bull terrier, leading to serious legal repercussions.

According to court reports, Gove, born around 1996, engaged in a violent episode on the night of March 28 into the early hours of March 29. The couple, who had been together for approximately four and a half years, had been drinking together that evening. Around 2:20 a.m., they decided to go to bed. The woman, referred to as the complainer, went into their bedroom and later heard Gove in the bathroom calling a taxi, indicating he planned to leave the residence.

Concerned, she approached the bathroom to confront him about his intentions. Gove refused to disclose where he was headed, which led to an argument. During the altercation, he attempted to prevent her from leaving the bathroom by placing his foot against the door, effectively trapping her between the door and the doorframe. The couple’s dog then entered the bathroom, further aggravating Gove’s anger. Despite attempts to remove the dog, Gove began striking the animal repeatedly, causing it to yelp in pain.

After the dog’s intervention, the woman managed to escape and moved into the bedroom. Gove followed her, grabbing her by the shoulder, turning her around, and then punching her twice in the face with such force that she lost two front teeth and sustained a bleeding nose. The attack on his partner was interrupted when the dog bit Gove, bringing the assault to an end.

Gove, who is employed as a binman with Aberdeen City Council, pleaded guilty to charges of domestic assault causing severe injury and animal cruelty through unnecessary suffering inflicted on the dog. The court heard that since the incident, concerns had been raised about the dog’s behavior, and the couple was seeking to rehome her.

During the hearing, Sheriff William Summers condemned Gove’s actions, describing them as despicable and deplorable. He emphasized that Gove’s conduct marked a troubling escalation in his pattern of behavior, labeling him a serial domestic abuser at the young age of 24. The sheriff noted the severity of the offences, which included both violence towards his partner and cruelty to an animal.

Despite the gravity of the crimes, the sheriff acknowledged mitigating factors, including Gove’s lack of prior custodial history and the fact that his partner still wished to maintain their relationship, citing her reliance on him for support. Sheriff Summers sentenced Gove to 300 hours of unpaid work, two years of supervised probation, and mandated completion of a domestic abuse intervention program. Additionally, Gove was banned from owning or keeping dogs for five years, with the restriction set to expire in January 2026.

This case has shocked the community in Aberdeen, highlighting the serious consequences of domestic violence and animal cruelty. The court’s decision underscores the importance of addressing such behaviors and protecting vulnerable individuals and animals from harm.