FIFE MAN CONVICTED OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND CONTROLLING VIOLENCE

Victims of a callous and controlling violent abuser have been praised for their courage following the conviction of Scott Howarth, a 27-year-old man who was found guilty of abusing his partners. Howarth subjected his previous partners to prolonged physical, verbal, and mental abuse throughout their relationships, which spanned from 2010 to 2017 in Fife. His offenses included assault resulting in injury, stalking, and threatening and abusive conduct. The crimes came to light when the victims reported the abuse to police, prompting an investigation that was led by Police Scotland’s domestic abuse unit, which specializes in dealing with high-risk and violent domestic abuse cases. During his court appearance at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, Howarth admitted to four charges, but police clarified that he was not convicted of abduction as initially thought. The court proceedings and conviction highlight the severity of his abusive behavior and the commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice in domestic abuse cases. Detective Constable Suzie O’Brien, part of the team that brought Howarth to justice, stated, “Howarth’s victims suffered a great deal of distress, and I would like to acknowledge their courage in coming forward to report the abuse they suffered to police. Howarth has proven to be a controlling, violent, and callous individual who abused those he was in a relationship with. Domestic abuse in all its forms can have a devastating impact upon the lives of the victims and their families. We will not tolerate these types of crimes and will work hard to bring perpetrators before the courts.” Police Scotland issued a correction confirming that Howarth was convicted of domestic abuse, including charges of assault and stalking, committed in Fife between 2010 and 2017.