THOMAS THOMSON FROM LINWOOD AND RENFREW FACES JAIL FOR 14-YEAR ABUSE SPREE AGAINST WIFE AND CHILD

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Linwood and Renfrew, Thomas Thomson has been found guilty of a prolonged and brutal campaign of violence spanning over a decade, targeting his wife and a young child. The disturbing series of events, which took place between June 15, 1996, and August 31, 2010, culminated in Thomson’s conviction at Paisley Sheriff Court last week.

Thomson, who resides in Renfrew, was accused of subjecting his wife and the child to relentless physical abuse during this period. The court heard harrowing details of the violence inflicted upon the victims, including repeated punches, slaps, kicks, and physical assaults that left lasting scars. The severity of the abuse was such that Thomson was also accused of wielding a samurai sword in an attack on the child, who was only 11 years old at the time.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Thomson’s violence was not limited to mere physical assaults. His controlling behavior extended to dictating what his wife ate when they went out, and he reportedly told her relatives that he considered himself ‘like God,’ asserting dominance over her in every aspect of their lives. His reign of terror appeared to have ended in 2010, but the repercussions of his actions continued to resonate in court proceedings that followed.

During the trial, the court heard that Thomson’s violent episodes occurred at various residences in Linwood and Renfrew. His attacks on his wife included punching her in the head, slapping her, kicking her, pushing her to the ground, dragging her along the floor, and even grabbing her by the throat to throttle her. One particularly disturbing incident in 2006 involved Thomson threatening his wife with a knife, pressing it against her throat and threatening to stab her during an argument inside their home on Wilson Avenue in Linwood.

In addition to the abuse of his wife, Thomson was also accused of physically assaulting the child over an eight-year period, from when the child was eight until he was 16. The court heard that Thomson repeatedly punched and slapped the young boy, although claims that he had also grabbed the child by the hair, slammed his head against walls, and hit him with objects were ultimately rejected by the jury. The jury also acquitted Thomson of attempting to attack the child with a samurai sword, despite evidence suggesting he had brandished a deadly weapon during the incident.

The trial featured testimony from Amanda O’Brien, a close friend and cousin of Thomson’s wife. O’Brien, aged 34, described the deep bond she shared with her friend, emphasizing that they were as close as sisters. She recounted witnessing the transformation of her friend from a confident, bubbly individual into someone subdued and withdrawn, especially after 2009, when Thomson’s behavior became increasingly erratic and violent. O’Brien expressed her concern over Thomson’s mental state, describing him as “totally gone” and noting that he had claimed to be ‘like God.’

She also revealed that her friend’s demeanor changed significantly over the years, from someone who always looked good and was lively to a person who no longer cared about her appearance or her well-being. The court heard that Thomson’s wife eventually left him in 2010, arriving at O’Brien’s home with her children, signaling the end of their tumultuous relationship.

In the courtroom, Thomson’s defense, led by Gordon Ritchie, made a no-case-to-answer submission regarding charges that Thomson had pulled a knife on his wife and attempted to attack the child with a samurai sword. However, Sheriff Seith Ireland ruled that there was sufficient evidence to convict Thomson of the knife attack, assaulting his wife, and repeatedly attacking the child. The jury, however, found him not guilty of the sword attack.

Following the verdict, Sheriff Ireland ordered reports on Thomson’s background, noting that he had his first conviction at the age of 11. The case highlights a disturbing pattern of violence and control that spanned many years, leaving a lasting impact on the victims and the community of Linwood and Renfrew.