RICHARD WOTHERSPOON'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BELLSHILL: PRISON THREATS AND VIOLENCE REVEALED

In January 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Richard Wotherspoon, a man with a long history of violent and criminal behavior rooted in Bellshill. Despite serving time for serious offenses, Wotherspoon continued to pose a significant threat to his former partner, Gemma, even from behind bars.

Wotherspoon, aged 31, was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice and was subsequently sentenced to 19 months in prison at Hamilton Sheriff Court. The court heard that he had used an illegal mobile phone to contact Gemma while incarcerated at HMP Addiewell, demanding that she drop all charges against him. This act of communication was part of a broader pattern of intimidation and harassment that Wotherspoon engaged in during his imprisonment.

Further details revealed that Wotherspoon had breached bail conditions by visiting Gemma’s residence in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, in September, shortly after his release from prison. His previous criminal record includes a conviction for inflicting minor injuries on his partner during an assault at her flat. During the court proceedings, it was disclosed that Wotherspoon had threatened to “snap her neck and take a murder charge,” indicating the severity of his threats and the danger he posed.

Wotherspoon’s criminal history is extensive. He was initially sentenced to four years in prison in 2006 after being convicted of raping a woman in Airdrie. His criminal record also includes a notorious manhunt in 2008 when he went missing just days after being released on license, having served only part of a four-month sentence at that time. His release from prison in recent weeks came after serving half of a four-month sentence, yet he quickly reverted to threatening behavior.

During the latest incident, Wotherspoon made repeated phone calls to Gemma from prison, during which he issued threats to reveal “sensitive” information if she testified against him. Prosecutor Jennifer Cunningham explained to the court that Wotherspoon’s actions appeared to be an attempt to discredit her testimony and intimidate her into silence.

Sheriff Douglas Brown sentenced Wotherspoon to an additional 19 months for attempting to pervert the course of justice. The court also imposed a two-year non-harassment order, explicitly banning him from any contact with Gemma. The judge emphasized the seriousness of such offenses, stating, “An attempt to pervert the course of justice will always lead to a severe sentence.”

Wotherspoon’s criminal history and recent actions underscore the ongoing threat he poses, especially given his history of violence and intimidation in Bellshill and surrounding areas. His case highlights the importance of strict legal measures to protect victims from persistent offenders like him.