CONVICTED (2024) | Kevin Vivers, born 1965, with a last known address of Dalling Avenue, Bathgate EH48 2SB – for a catalogue of animal cruelty offences, rapes and sexual assaults over 36 years.
Vivers originally denied a series of charges, but was convicted of 27 crimes, including five animal cruelty offences alongside nine rape charges, seven assaults, and four sexual assaults.
His crimes in West Lothian and Stirlingshire spanned from when he was still a teenager in 1985 until 2021.
Vivers killed animals and subjected seven female victims, including a minor aged 13/14, to assaults, sexual assaults and rapes.
His first episode of animal cruelty was in 1985 when he began repeatedly punching a dog and kicking a cat.
In or around 2012 he attacked two dogs by lifting them by their collars, hitting them with sticks and kicking them.
In or around 1993 in Bathgate he killed two dogs by shooting one animal and slitting the throat of the other.
Vivers also apparently used dogs to hunt rabbits, deer and foxes and also allegedly drowned dogs.
A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh imposed a lifelong restriction order on Vivers and said he must serve a minimum of 10 years in prison.
Lord Lake told Vivers: “I must make it clear this does not mean you will be released automatically at the end of that period.”
He told the sex offender he would only ever be freed from jail if parole authorities were satisfied his release would not endanger public safety.
Expert reports prepared on Vivers concluded that he presented a high risk.
Lord Lake told him: “Your offences are of a serious kind, even when taken individually. When considered together they show a depraved course of conduct.”
He told the court via a video link to prison: “I have been penalised for something that is well and truly unproved.”
Det Ch Insp Steven McMillan said: “This was a difficult case due to the horrendous nature of Vivers’s crimes and the sickening animal abuse, which spanned so many years.
“I want to make it clear to anyone who has experienced sexual abuse that there is no time limit on when you can report these crimes. I would encourage any victims to come forward and report it to police.”
Vivers has been placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
Lord Lake also made orders prohibiting Vivers from directly or indirectly contacting his victims.
Sentencing | lifelong restriction order with minimum 10 years to be served behind bars.
CONVICTED (2022) | Mark McGregor, born c. 1988, of Langside Crescent, Polbeth, West Calder EH55 8UW – subjected a young dog to a series of savage beatings
Mark McGregor
McGregor left seven-month-old Staffy Murdo with ‘large, swollen lumps’ on his head following a string of brutal attacks which took place during 2021.
The thug was finally apprehended after witnesses spotted him ‘violently strike’ the dog in his back garden, and reported him to the Scottish SPCA.
On March 5, 2021, charity inspectors attended McGregor’s property to investigate the claims, which they described as ‘very graphic and serious in nature’.
Abuse victim Murdo was nursed back to health by the SSPCA and has since been rehomed
Upon arrival, they found Murdo with serious head injuries and showing signs of previous beatings. The wounded pup also appeared terrified of McGregor – cowering and urinating on the floor whenever he approached him.
The dog was immediately seized from the property and rushed to a vet for examination where the extent of his injuries was uncovered.
McGregor pleaded guilty to striking his dog and was sentenced to a curfew and 10-year ban on owning animals.
Speaking about the SSPCA’s investigation Inspector Fiona Thorburn said: “When we attended McGregor’s home, it was immediately apparent that Murdo had a noticeable swelling on his head. He approached me wagging his tail and jumping up in a friendly manner but when McGregor approached him, he appeared scared. He cowered and urinated on the floor.
“I advised McGregor of my concerns for his dog Murdo’s welfare and that veterinary attention must be sought. Murdo was then removed under section 32 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to be taken for a veterinary examination.
“The veterinary examination uncovered damage consistent with the traumatic injury reported to us by the witnesses, leaving Murdo with a large lump on his head.
“Murdo was transported to one of our rescue and rehoming centres for ongoing care and to ensure his welfare. Thanks to the care of our centre, Murdo has made a good recovery and has since found a loving home.
“We are pleased that McGregor has received a ban given the severity of the beating that Murdo sustained. If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
Sentencing | 108-day restriction of liberty order. at the same court. Disqualified from owning, keeping and working with animals for the next 10 years.
#MostEvil | Kirsty M McNeil, born 13 May 1981, previously of Nelson Avenue, Livingston EH54 6BY – neglected several animals with the emaciated remains of a dog found in her freezer.
Kirsty McNeil was found to have kept the remains of a dog named Cooper after he had slowly been starved to death.
The mother-of-three had admitted to causing the pet unnecessary suffering by failing to provide him with appropriate care and treatment.
McNeil was also found to have mistreated two other dogs and cats that she kept at her home.
After initially being given a structured deferred sentence in August 2021, Ms McNeil was given a second nine-month sentencing deferral in November 2021.
The decision was said to be to enable her to take full advantage of the help and support being offered to her by social work and other agencies.
Adjourning the case until 18 August 2022 for McNeil – who was not in court – to be of good behaviour, Sheriff Jane Farquharson commented: “I take full account of the significant efforts she’s made herself.
“Nine months gives her the opportunity to do what she needs, but gives her the security that the court is keeping an eye on things to ensure that she’s maintaining her progress.”
Glenn Fraser, defending, told Livingston Sheriff Court that his client’s mental health had been “extremely poor” at the time of the offence and she hadn’t been looking after herself or anyone else.
He said she had “grasped the help she is now receiving with both hands” and was making every effort to deal with ongoing issues in her life.
He said: “The charges are serious charges. If the help she’s got now had been available at the time, perhaps we wouldn’t be here now.”
Mr Fraser told the earlier hearing that his client had not ill-treated her pets because of deliberate cruelty.
He said: “This happened because she wasn’t coping at the time. She just went into a downward spiral.”
The case came to light on 24 November 2019 after an anonymous caller told the Scottish SPCA that two cats at McNeil’s then home in Nelson Avenue, Livingston, were not being attended to.
SSPCA inspectors found the floor of McNeil’s home covered in dog faeces and a strong smell of urine in the flat.
Cooper, whose body had initially been stored in the drawer of a broken freezer, was found in a shallow grave in the garden.
His fur was so matted that inspectors couldn’t identify what breed the dog was.
The dead animal had not been exercised or cared for properly for so long that his claws curved underneath the pads on his feet and there were clumps of faecal matter on his hindquarters.
Yorkshire terrier Max was very thin with a matted coat.
Two other dogs – a cross-breed called Benji and a Yorkshire terrier named Max – had similarly overgrown nails through lack of exercise.
Sharply pronged carpet gripper was exposed around the edges of the faeces-covered carpet in one room and there was clear evidence that the animals had chewed and scratched the door frame in a desperate bid to escape.
The pets which were still alive were rescued and taken away in an SSPCA van. Cooper’s body was disposed of after a vet carried out a post mortem examination to establish the cause of death, which was organ failure caused by malnutrition.
McNeil pleaded guilty to failing to feed Cooper properly whereby he became emaciated with a matted coat, overgrown claws and faecal and urine staining on his fur.
She also pleaded guilty to failing to take reasonable steps to meet the needs of her two other dogs and two cats between the same dates, 24 September and 24 November 2019, by failing to give the pets suitable food and water and adequate exercise which would have allowed them to exhibit normal behaviour patterns.
In addition, she admitted neglecting her mother Agnes Woodside, for whom she was carer, and other individuals by failing (presumably her children) to provide them with adequate food and clothing.
Scottish SPCA inspector Fiona Thorburn said inspectors who visited the property had found Max, a Yorkshire terrier, who was very thin with a matted coat, and Benji, a small crossbreed, who seemed to be in fair condition with mild matting.
“Max was kept by the vet for treatment and the other animals were taken to an animal rescue and rehoming centre where they received the care and rehabilitation they needed.
“The suffering McNeil directly caused Max and Cooper by failing to provide food and the most basic of care was entirely avoidable.”
Sentencing: deferred until 18 August 2022. Five-year ban imposed (expires August 2026).
#MostEvil | Andrew James Mackay, born 1 June 1991, of 59 Laing Gardens, Broxburn EH52 6XU – battered a dog to death while partner Nicole Logan, born 28 September 1993, of the same address turned a blind eye to the dog’s suffering.
Andrew Mackay told a vet he had tripped over crossbred Bonzo while doing the dishes just days before Christmas in 2019.
But in reality, he had savagely beaten the defenceless dog in a series of “barbaric and tortuous” attacks, leaving him with more than 25 rib factures. He then failed to get him proper medical treatment.
Bonzo’s injuries included 25 rib fractures and a ruptured windpipe.
An x-ray of Bonzo’s broken body found he had suffered at least 25 rib fractures, fractures on his eye socket and cheek, a ruptured trachea and injuries to his face.
Shockingly, these injuries were caused on four separate occasions and would have left the pooch in unimaginable pain.
Mackay was jailed for 18 weeks after being found guilty of abusing the animal and failing to get him medical treatment between September and December 2019.
His partner, Nicole Logan, was convicted of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to get Bonzo help and given a suspended sentence..
The horrific abuse campaign took place at the couple’s former home in Clarence Avenue, Knott-End-On-Sea, Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, before they returned to Scotland.
Blackpool Magistrates’ Court heard how Bonzo was taken to a vets by Mackay on December 23, 2019 where he claimed to have fallen on the dog.
The vet was unable to save Bonzo and he tragically died during attempts to resuscitate him.
The vet suspected that the pet had died as a result of abuse so reported the matter to the RSPCA.
Inspector Will Lamping along with officers from Lancashire Police visited Mackay’s address as part of the investigation and spoke with Logan.
She told them that her partner had told her Bonzo received a punctured lung while running through some bushes.
Later that day Mackay himself contacted the RSPCA and claimed he had injured Bonzo by standing on him and falling over him as he was washing up, while Logan was at work.
He also said the dog also had some old injuries from running through some bushes a month and a half before.
However, in court independent veterinary experts said the injuries could not have been caused by a fall but said Bonzo had been subjected to a series of abuse – and two attacks were most likely caused by blunt force trauma.
Mackay had claimed that he had tried to give him CPR for 10 minutes after ‘falling on him’ but when this failed he took the dog to the vets.
The vet saw some cuts around the dog’s mouth which Mackay said must have happened when he scraped himself against rocks while walking on the beach earlier.
The court heard how he had previously taken the dog to the same vets in October 2019 after claiming the dog had appeared from some bushes with a blister on his eye.
During this examination the vet found the dog had a number of broken ribs in addition to the cut on his eye.
In a statement the independent veterinary expert said: “The majority of injuries sustained by Bonzo on both 10/10/19 and 23/12/19 were blunt force in nature.
“Blunt force trauma occurs when a stationary animal is struck with a moving object – for example hitting a dog with a hammer – or a moving animal collides with a stationary object such as throwing a dog against a wall.
“The radiographs produced on October 10 2019 and December 23, 2019 indicate that Bonzo had sustained a large number of rib fractures.
“The rib fractures are so numerous it is difficult to determine precisely how many rib fractures have been sustained but there are at least 25.
“The radiographs produced on October 10, 2019 indicate at least two separate episodes of trauma had occurred as some fractures had begun to heal which was the same on December 23.
“This indicates that Bonzo sustained blunt force trauma to the chest on at least four separate occasions between the beginning of September 2019 and December 23, 2019 that resulted in multiple rib fractures and a fractured right cheek bone.”
In sentencing the pair the magistrate described the attacks as “barbaric and torturous” and that it was “prolonged and deliberate injuries”.
They added that Logan was aware of the injuries but failed to seek veterinary treatment for her dog who was left in a suffering state.
Inspector Lamping said: “The injuries caused to Bonzo were some of the worst I’ve seen. The image of his broken body will stay with me for a long time.”
Sentencing: Mackay: 18 weeks in jail. Ordered to pay a total of £2,128 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping all animals for 10 years.
Logan: 12-week prison term suspended for 12 months; 100 hours of unpaid work; curfew, £328 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2020) | Lawrence (Larry) Hughes, born c. 1956, of Eliburn South, Livingston EH54 – failed to treat his pet dog’s painful skin condition
Cruel Lawrence Hughes failed to treat his dog’s painful skin condition
Crossbreed Tara was found to have gnawed at her paws and legs and developed severe hair loss after her skin condition was left untreated for weeks
Tara’s owner, Lawrence Hughes, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the dog.
Following a tip-off from a concerned neighbour, the SSPCA visited Hughes’ home where they found Tara in a great deal of discomfort and distress.
Crossbred Tara recovered in the Scottish SPCA’s care and made available for rehoming
Scottish SPCA inspector Jennifer Surgeon said, “As soon as we saw Tara it was clearly evident that she had a severe problem with her skin.
“She was constantly scratching at herself and gnawing at her paws and legs. She had severe hair loss from her rib cage down to her tail, affecting her under carriage and all four legs. Her skin was hot and clammy to touch, felt thickened and was covered in scabs. What hair there was on her body was very thin and the skin in these areas was also in poor condition.
“There was a strong, pungent smell within the property which was coming from Tara as her skin was so bad.
“Given the extent of the skin disease these dermatological changes were likely to have developed over a period of no less than 14 days although in reality it’s likely to have been much longer.
“We’re glad that Hughes has been given this ban and hope he seriously reconsiders his ability to care for any animal in future.
“Tara is now being looked after at one of our rescue and rehoming centres and we’re confident that we’ll be able to find her the loving home she deserves”.
Sentencing: six month community payback order. Banned from owning any pets for just one year (expired October 2021).
CONVICTED (2020) | Peter Grant, born c. 1965, of Mount Pleasant, Armadale EH48 – caught on CCTV kicking a Labrador puppy and swinging him by the neck with his lead
Peter Grant admitted causing unnecessary suffering to seven-month-old chocolate Labrador Rolo in August 2019.
CCTV captured Grant kicking the with excessive force and swinging him by the neck with his lead.
The footage then shows him dragging the dog by his neck and pushing his face to the ground.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector Paul Anderson said, “Members of the public witnessed Grant attacking Rolo. Luckily this was caught on private CCTV and the footage was passed to us.
“Once we identified Grant, we attended his address and seized Rolo.
“Rolo was found to be timid and wary of everyone he encountered.
“He was fully assessed by a vet and thankfully found not to have any lasting damage from the attack.
“Grant had been asked by a relative to care for the dog while they were on holiday. After speaking to the owner, Rolo was taken into the care of another relative until they returned home.
“Rolo is now safely back with the owner and is doing well.
“We’re very pleased with the sentence handed to Grant. This was an unprovoked and unnecessary deed that caused Rolo to experience pain and suffering.
“We hope this sentence acts as a deterrent to stop anyone carrying out this sort of appalling behaviour.”
Sentencing: 35-hour community payback order. Banned from keeping animals for just one year.
CONVICTED (2019) | Samantha Marley, born c. 1985, of Auldhill Avenue, Bridgend, near Linlithgow EH49 6NY – jailed for two years for robbery but also admitted cruelty to two dogs.
Callous Marley robbed her grandmother of around £50,000 and was also cruel to her pet dogs
Marley admitted causing an adult bulldog type dog and a puppy unnecessary suffering for around three months by neglecting them and tying them up in a space too small for them to move around.
Sentencing | no additional sentence was given for the animal cruelty element nor was any ban imposed.
CONVICTED (2017) | William Dobbie, born 26 September 1986, previously of Dundas Street, Bathgate EH48 and more recently (2022) of Deanswood Park, Deans, Livingston EH54 8NZ – left three dogs to starve so badly their bones protruded through their skin.
Dobbie pleaded guilty to failing to provide the dogs, called Mitzi, Sugar and Kane, with appropriate and adequate nutrition and failing to obtain adequate veterinary treatment to treat their infestation with fleas.
The Scottish SPCA received a complaint in October 2016 about the way Dobbie’s animals were being treated. After meeting police outside the house, inspectors from the animal charity gained access to the property.
Inspector Jenni Surgeon said, “On entering the property I discovered a Staffordshire bull terrier in a cage behind the door with no access to food or water.
“She was extremely thin and her bones were protruding through her skin.
“The cage contained large quantities of faeces, some of which had mould, indicating the cage had not been cleaned for quite some time.
“There was a foul smell inside the property which was caused by the multiple deposits of faeces throughout the house.
“The property was very unhygienic which put the animals at risk of injury, disease and illness.
“There were two extremely underweight Jack Russell terriers roaming around the house, both of which had staining to their legs and lower abdomen which has most probably been caused by the pair lying in their own urine and faeces.
“We welcome the fact that Dobbie has been dealt with by the court and the sentence handed down.
“We hope he will give serious consideration about his suitability to care for other animals in the future.
“Thankfully, the dogs have now received the proper treatment and have made a full recovery.”
Sentencing: Five-month restriction of liberty order. Banned from owning or keeping animals for just three years (expired July 2020).
CONVICTED (2015) | Mhairi Siobhain Thomson, born 25/08/1982, of Riddochhill Drive, Blackburn, Bathgate EH47 7LB – starved a dog over several weeks until he became emaciated
The court heard Thomson’s neighbours called the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals because they thought her black and tan Staffordshire bull terrier was too thin.
When SSPCA inspectors went to the accused’s home they found seven-year-old family pet Milo with his bones showing through his skin.
Procurator fiscal Katrine Craig told the court: “The dog appeared bright but was clearly very thin. Its spine and pelvic bones were clearly visible and there appeared to be a lot of muscle wastage.
“The accused agreed that her dog did indeed require urgent treatment and gave consent for the dog to be removed immediately.”
Mrs Craig said the vet recorded the dog as being “emaciated”, with a body score of just one out of nine. She said the dog weighed 10.2kg when a properly fed dog of that size should weigh around 15kg.
She added: “The view was formed by the vet that the dog was being caused unnecessary suffering by the failure to provide adequate and basic nutrition and necessary veterinary treatment. It was estimated that for the dog to be in such poor condition the neglect would have occurred over a period of weeks.”
She said the SSPCA had put Milo on a weight gain programme and he put on 1.8kg over the next 11 days. A three-year-old lurcher belonging to Thomson’s partner was also in the house but was found to be in good bodily condition.
The SSPCA had no concerns regarding this dog which the accused claimed she’d fed at the same time as her own pet.
Thomson pleaded guilty to causing the animal unnecessary suffering between October 1 and December 4, 2014, by failing to provide him with appropriate and adequate nutrition.
Sheriff Susan Craig told Thomson she wasn’t going to fine her because her “finances are extremely restricted”.
Sentence: 80 hours of unpaid community work; banned from keeping or owning a dog for two years (expired 2017).
CONVICTED (2012) | Lauren McMeechan, born c. 1988, of High Street, Linlithgow EH48 7EJ – left her pet dogs to starve almost to death
Vile Lauren McMeechan was not banned from keeping animals and walked free from court without so much as a fine
Callous Lauren McMeechan left the two dogs – a male Irish setter and a female black Labrador – in the worst state of starvation a vet had ever seen.
McMeechan pleaded guilty to starving and neglecting the dogs.
The court heard that when investigators called at her home in May 2010, they found one-year-old setter Reilly and five-year-old Lab Halle with their ribs, spine and hip bones sticking through their fur.
McMeechan’s dogs Reilly and Halle recovered and were rehomed together
McMeechan admitted causing the pair unnecessary suffering by failing to provide proper nourishment between April 1 and May 27, 2010.
But she told the court she failed to care for them because she was suffering from depression.
Iain Smith, defending, asked for no ban to be imposed on her keeping animals. He said: “In a good mental health state she would be a fit person to look after animals, although she has no plans to do so at present.”
Sheriff Donald Muirhead admonished McMeechan but advised her to think twice about keeping pets in the future.
He said: “If you feel yourself getting down or in a low mood and you have animals, give them away because you obviously can’t look after them in that state.”
2016 photo of McMeechan
SSPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We are shocked no ban on keeping animals has been imposed by the court.
“The vet who examined both dogs said it was one of the worst cases of starvation he had ever seen and we believe that a life ban would have been entirely appropriate in this instance.
“Not only is it important in cases such as this, where we believe the offender has demonstrated they are unfit to care for animals, it also sends out an important message – that owning an animal is a privilege and not a right.
“Thankfully, both dogs were taken into our care and, after prolonged rehabilitation, have found a loving home together.”
