MATTHEW BARNETT FROM BARRY AND LIVINGSTON SENTENCED FOR THREATS AND VANDALISM IN SCOTLAND

In July 2021, a disturbing case unfolded involving Matthew Barnett, a bodybuilder with a violent past, whose actions in Livingston, Scotland, drew significant attention from law enforcement and the courts. The incident was triggered after social workers and police informed Barnett’s pregnant girlfriend, Sarah Edgar, about his troubling criminal record for domestic violence, which led to a series of alarming and threatening behaviors.

Following an official visit under the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland—a program designed to allow women to check if their partners have a history of violence—Barnett was ordered to leave Ms. Edgar’s residence in Livingston. Despite this, he did not cease his threatening conduct. Instead, he bombarded her with a series of chilling messages on Facebook Messenger, in which he issued explicit threats concerning her unborn child. Barnett demanded that she terminate the pregnancy, warning her to “get rid” of the baby, and expressed feelings of being broken by the system, stating, “They want me to snap they got it. I didn’t want this. They’ve broken me.”

His messages grew increasingly violent and disturbing. He told her, “Don’t carry that child. It’ll be taken. Get rid of ASAP… You do not have the right to enter my family after that. Get rid.” He then revealed plans to commit violence, saying, “I’m going down (the police) station tonight. We’re gunna throw petrol all over woman on reception and light it. I gotta go now. We on way to garage now.”

Adding to the severity of his threats, Barnett used abusive language, calling Ms. Edgar a “lanky streak of piss” and other derogatory terms. He further threatened to kill others, stating, “I’m gunna kill these c****. Answer now, you f*****,” and accused her of being a “grass” and a “rat.” He also claimed to possess a gun and demanded answers about her accusations, saying, “So you believe bull**** charges after wat everyone else said. Just tell me lanky c***. U fanny stinks.”

Concerned for her safety, Ms. Edgar reported Barnett’s behavior to the police. She was visibly distressed and worried about her safety due to the threatening messages she had received. Police responded promptly, attending her residence to ensure her safety and to facilitate her collecting her belongings. During the check, officers observed Barnett moving inside the property. He was detained and handcuffed, and police entered the house with Ms. Edgar. Inside, they discovered that Barnett had deliberately broken a light bulb to obscure his presence, and they found a bent knife on the kitchen counter along with a broken knife blade on the floor. Further inspection revealed that the word “War” had been carved multiple times into the door, and the phrase “You want a war, you’ll get a war” was etched into one of the walls.

While being arrested, Barnett continued his verbal abuse, directing threats at police officers. He shouted phrases such as “Bomb Bathgate Police Station,” “Post Anthrax,” and again threatened to “Cut the baby out of her.” Despite multiple requests for him to calm down, Barnett’s anger intensified. He shouted in the back of the police van, reiterating his threats to find Ms. Edgar and harm her and her unborn child, stating, “Sarahhhh, I’m gonna find you and cut that baby out of you.”

On the day of his court appearance, Barnett, aged 34 and originally from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, pleaded guilty to charges of vandalism and threatening behavior related to the incidents on January 28 of that year. At the time, Ms. Edgar was two months pregnant with Barnett’s child. The court sentenced him to 27 months in prison, with the sentence being backdated to January 29. Additionally, Barnett was placed under social work supervision for 12 months after his release. Given his history, Barnett was previously listed on a most wanted list by South Wales Police for making threats and malicious communications. The court also imposed a non-harassment order, banning him from approaching or contacting Ms. Edgar for a period of ten years, in an effort to protect her from further harm.