PAUL LAWLOR FROM KIRKCALDY FOUND GUILTY OF RACIAL ABUSE AND KNIFE THREAT

In a case that has shocked the local community of Kirkcaldy, Paul Lawlor, a resident known for his volatile behavior, was found guilty of racially abusing his neighbor, a Polish man named Dominik Janota, while also threatening him with a knife. The incident took place on April 18 and was brought to light during a court hearing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

According to court records, Lawlor, aged 53, was accused of calling Mr. Janota a “Polish pig” and challenging him to a physical fight while wielding a kitchen knife. The court heard that Lawlor’s conduct was bizarre and aggressive, with witnesses describing his behavior as unpredictable and confrontational. Sheriff Ian Anderson presided over the case and ultimately convicted Lawlor after he lost his composure during his testimony.

Mr. Janota, who works as a machine operator, provided detailed testimony about the incident. He explained that upon returning home from taking out the bins, he found Lawlor standing at his back door. Lawlor was armed with a green kitchen knife and was laughing as he stood there. Mr. Janota recounted that Lawlor made threatening gestures, mimicking slashing his stomach and throat with the knife, which left him feeling alarmed and intimidated.

Further testimony from Amanda Gourlay, a neighbor living on Links Street, revealed that she could hear Lawlor shouting from her upstairs window approximately 30 meters away. She described hearing Lawlor bellowing a racial slur, specifically “come on you f***ing Polish pig,” which added a racial dimension to the confrontation.

During the court proceedings, Lawlor attempted to justify his actions. He claimed that he was simply enjoying a cigarette and a coffee at his back door when Mr. Janota allegedly forced his way into his home, making accusations about vandalizing Lawlor’s car. Lawlor also stated that Mr. Janota, aged 47, had used a large metal chair to rattle Lawlor’s back door repeatedly—between 12 and 14 times—while Lawlor was on the phone with police.

In a heated exchange during cross-examination, Lawlor, who referred to the prosecutor as “sweetheart,” insisted he was not racist but was merely giving people “a roasting.” He further added, in a provocative manner, “I’ll give you a roasting right now, where do Polish homosexual rapists go on holiday? Kirkcaldy.”

Sheriff Anderson expressed his belief in the witnesses’ accounts and stated, “I did believe the witnesses. I will find you guilty of this charge.” As a result, Lawlor was convicted of multiple offenses, including shouting and swearing at his neighbor, challenging him to a fight while armed with a knife, and making racially offensive remarks. The court deferred sentencing until September 29 to allow for reports to be prepared, leaving the community awaiting further legal action against Lawlor.