Fife Reporter

28/10/2025

NINE YEARS FOR RA**ST WHO SPIKED DRINKS IN FIFE NIGHTCLUB

A ra**st who was caught on CCTV drugging and s*xually assaulting two women just hours apart has been caged for nine years.

Scumbag Kenan Baki, 46, was captured attacking the women after they had been at the same nightclub in Kirkcaldy.

He took the women’s drinks to the toilet where he spiked them at the Society nightclub in September 2023.

He then pounced and assaulted his victims when they fell unconscious at a nearby barber’s shop.

Prosecutors played CCTV which showed Baki throughout the course of the evening as he searched for women.

After approaching the first woman, he slipped an unknown substance into her drink.

Baki s*xually assaulted the woman while she was under the influence of that drug before she was led away from him by concerned members of the public.

A short time later she became unwell, struggling to move and stay awake.

Baki went on to engage a second woman in conversation before taking her to his nearby barber shop in the early hours of the morning.

Additional CCTV footage showed the woman quickly losing consciousness before Baki carried her into the back of the shop where he r***d her.

Lord Cubie sentenced Baki to an 11-year extended sentence with nine of those in custody at Kilmarnock High Court today.

He told Baki, “The images captured on the CCTV from the barber’s shop will stay with all who watched it; the r**e complainer’s loss of consciousness came in an immediate and shocking instantaneous collapse, which elicited no reaction from you because it was plainly expected and what you had planned.

“You were seen to blow air on her face to check her level of unconsciousness, to kiss the clearly unconscious victim and then chillingly you took her to the back room where the evidence showed that you r***d her.
“This was no spontaneous or opportunistic reflex, but a plan which you made and were determined to execute.

“Your conduct was reprehensible and such conduct strikes fear into the heart of every woman who chooses to go out.

“It is clear from the victim impact statement that the effects of your conduct were immediate, damaging, widespread and long lasting.”

Detective Inspector Graeme Dursley said, “Baki is a s*xual predator who drugged these women so he could take advantage of them for his own s*xual gratification. His actions are despicable and he now faces the consequences.

“I’d like to commend the strength of the women throughout the investigation and court process. I hope the outcome will bring them some form of justice.

“This investigation was complex and our investigation team worked tirelessly with a CCTV co-ordinator to trace Baki’s movements. We were able to provide evidence of him taking drinks to a toilet before returning and giving them to the women.

“We then tracked his movements through the town to the location of the r**e. I want to thank them for their dedication which has led to this conviction.”

Baki's name has been added to the s*x offenders register indefinitely.

A non-harassment order was also granted for an indefinite period.

Fiona Kirkby, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: “Kenan Baki poses a significant danger to women through his s*xually depraved and predatory actions.

“The prosecution case showed he pursued these two women before intentionally drugging them so he could take advantage of their vulnerability.

“He has now been held accountable for this horrific behaviour, which should send a clear message to all those who seek to s*xually harm others."

28/10/2025

WOMAN GRABBED FROM BEHIND IN STREET ATTACK

A woman was grabbed from behind in Dunfermline by a s*x offender who tried to r**e her.

Levi Taylor had s*xually assaulted a female in Lochgelly less than a fortnight earlier.

Taylor, 20, a prisoner at Polmont, appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court today by video-link.

He admitted that on 31st January at an address in Lochgelly, he s*xually assaulted a female by repeatedly seizing her by the body, repeatedly placing his hand under her clothing and touched her breasts and private parts.

He also admitted that on 12th February at Carnegie Drive, Dunfermline, he assaulted a female, approached her from behind, seized her by the neck and compressed it, pulled her to the ground and struggled with her, with intent to r**e her.

Sheriff James Williamson called for reports and Taylor will remain in custody ahead of sentencing on 25th November. He was also put on the s*x offenders register.

28/10/2025

WEDDING GUEST TAKEN TO HOSPITAL WITH CUT HEAD AFTER BEING ATTACKED BY ANOTHER WOMAN

A drunk woman was asked to get the phone number of another female by a man who fancied her.

However, the ‘gofer’ ended up fighting with the other woman at the back of Dunfermline’s City Hotel, where a wedding reception was taking place.

The wedding guest had to be taken to hospital with a head wound which was stapled.

In the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court was 37-year-old Louise McCabe, formerly of St John’s Drive, Dunfermline, now of Rosebank, Alloa.

She admitted that on 10th August last year at the City Hotel, Bridge Street, she fought with a female.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said, “The complainer was a guest at a wedding and it is believed both parties involved had a large amount to drink.

“The woman was standing at the back door of the hotel. The accused was also there, words were exchanged and a fight ensued.

“There were a number of males present but it seems they decided not to intervene and just let them fight it out.

“This happened in the smoking area.”

Defence solicitor Lucy Martin said her client usually lives in Alloa but was staying with her mum in Dunfermline at the time.

“She had gone out in Dunfermline and met some people. A male had asked her to go and approach this person and ask for her phone number,” she told the court.

“She had been in the Seven Kings bar and the incident took place in the Glen Bridge car park.

“She feels the female acted aggressively. She knows she reacted in a very poor way when she was intoxicated.”

Sheriff Ralph Paul told McCabe, “The perils of being a gofer and doing some stranger’s work for them.

“I’m pretty sure it would have spoiled the wedding for this woman, who was minding her own business and the back door to the hotel.”

The sheriff fined McCabe £320.

28/10/2025

US GIANT FINED £176K OVER MOSSMORRAN FLARING

The operator of the Fife Ethylene Plant at Mossmorran has been fined £176,000 for failings which led to a major flaring incident at the site.

It occurred over five days in April 2019 and caused great concern in the surrounding communities.

Residents described the noise as being “like a jet engine” and “a giant blow torch” with the bright glow from the chimney easily seen from around Fife and Edinburgh.

US-based petro-chemical giant ExxonMobil employs more than 300 people at the plant, which has been in operation for 40 years.

Today at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court it admitted that on 21st April 2019 at the Fife Ethylene Plant, it failed to comply with condition of its operating licence relating to smoke emissions.

It also admitted that on various occasions between 7th and 26th April it failed to comply with a condition of its operating permit by not following its processes sufficiently to minimise the risk of flaring.

It also prioritised the prevention of smoke emissions which resulted in elevated noise from flaring between 21st and 26th April in breach of pollution prevention and control regulations.

Prosecutor Iain Batho said, “At 12.24 on 21st April 2019 one of the boilers tripped (i.e. stopped working) meaning there was no longer sufficient steam balance and so the whole plant had to be shut down.

“In that scenario, it was inevitable that it would take around five days to get the plant up and running again and in the meantime it was essential to continuously flare until the plant became operational.”

It was accepted by the Crown that the firm’s culpability was “negligible”.

“It had processes in place but they were not followed sufficiently and there was a lack understanding by senior managers of ‘steam balance’,” said Mr Batho.

Sheriff James Williamson recalled, “Considerable discomfort and anxiety was caused to the community within those five days.

He added, “It caused quite a stir and caused extreme anxiety in the communities around the complex.”

The court was told that there has been significant investment at the plant since the incident including the construction of an enclosed ground flare.

There has been no repetition of the incident in the years since.

Sheriff Williamson said it had taken “an extraordinary length of time” to bring the case to court. He fined the company £176,000.

Exxon Mobil is an American multi-national oil and gas corporation with its headquarters in Texas.

25/10/2025

Kayakers in the River Forth received a friendly visitor in the shape of a dolphin who came to see what they were up to.

Hugo Foley, who filmed from his kayak, said, "People have loved seeing this unexpected wildlife encounter right on our doorstep.

"We were stunned in the best way possible when the unexpected visitor, interacted and swam in between us all.

"It was an incredible surprise, the dolphin appeared alongside our kayaks for a short while before heading back out toward the Firth of Forth."

24/10/2025

CUSTOMERS LEFT OUT OF POCKET BY FIFE SHEDS FIRM

A Fife garden shed company has gone into liquidation leaving many customers out of pocket.

Fife Council’s Trading Standards team has received a number of consumer complaints about Central Fife Sheds Ltd, which traded from premises in Glenrothes.

The company stopped trading and went into liquidation on 16th October with the appointment of Begbies Traynor as official Liquidator.

The company’s website is still up and running. It says, “We are a family run business, based in Glenrothes, Fife, established in 2017.

“From humble beginnings, we have grown, with the help of our dedicated team of craftsmen, to be a well-established business with an exceptional reputation, the preferred choice for delivering quality timber buildings, Scotland wide.

“We are a small (but beautifully formed!) team, providing our clients with a very personal service. We offer a comprehensive range of traditional garden buildings including summerhouses, garden sheds, playhouses and garden storage."

Dawn Adamson, Trading Standards Service Manager, said: “Consumers put their trust in a business and are entitled to expect that they receive what they pay for. When a Limited company ceases trading in this manner, the financial impact on its customers, who have paid over their hard-earned money in good faith, is significant.

"Where possible, I would urge consumers to pay by credit card for goods and services costing over £100, as additional statutory protection is provided under Section 75 of The Consumer Credit Act 1974.

“Paying by debit card offer less protection, but you might still be able to claim a refund through a process called ‘Chargeback’. Be wary of companies who ask for full cash payments months in advance of a proposed delivery or supply date.”

24/10/2025

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23/10/2025

FIFE VILLAGE SET FOR 900 NEW HOMES AND NEW SCHOOL

Plans which will see around 900 new homes and a new primary school built in Kelty over the next 15 years have taken a major step forward.

Members of Fife Council’s West and Central Planning Committee approved an approval of matters specified in conditions application for the development on land to the south of Cocklaw Street.

I&H Brown received planning permission in principle back in 2023 for a masterplan which includes the new homes, a new primary school, a health centre, employment uses and community and leisure facilities.

The first phase is planned to begin this year and will see the construction of 180 home but none in the so-called affordable category.

Phase two – planned between 2026 and 2031 – would see 200 houses built included 19 ‘affordable’ units.

In both phase three and phase four, 260 properties will be created with 19 ‘affordable’ homes.

The 46-hectare site is situated at the south west edge of the village.

23/10/2025

'TWO DOORS DOWN' TAKING TO THE STAGE

Fans of the popular Scottish TV sitcom Two Doors Down will be able to see a stage version of the show for the first time.

It's been announced that the cast will reunite to perform three nights at Glasgow's OVO Hydro next September.

The live performance will see the neighbours congregate at the house of Beth and Eric, played by Arabella Weir and Alex Norton.

The show will also feature much-loved cast members Elaine C Smith, Doon Mackichan, Jonathan Watson, Graeme ' Grado' Stevely, Joy McAvoy, Jamie Quinn and Kieran Hodgson.

Doon, who plays Cathy, was born and brought up in until the age of twelve, when she and her family moved to Upper Largo.

She attended Madras College and says she owes her success to the determination of her drama teacher.

Show creator Gregor Sharp said it was a "dream come true" to bring the show to the stage.

He commented, "They are an incredible group of performers, and we can't wait to welcome the audience into Beth and Eric's where we can guarantee there will be some surprises as well as the odd person behaving entirely true to form."

A Two Doors Down Christmas special is set to be broadcast on BBC One in December, two years since the last series aired following the death of its creator Simon Carlyle.

21/10/2025

UTTER CHAOS: AFTER FIVE YEARS OF SHEKU BAYOH INQUIRY COSTING £26M, "BIASED" CHAIR QUITS

The chair of the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry has quit after accusations of bias by the police federation.

Lord Bracadale today resigned as chairperson more than two months after he initially refused to quit the post.

The move plunges the inquiry into chaos almost five years after it started and it has already cost than £26 million.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank and file officers, had previously questioned the former judge's impartiality.

The SPF raised concerns about Lord Bracadale's private meetings with the family of Mr Bayoh.

The father-of-two was 31 when he died in May 2015 after being restrained by six police officers in Kirkcaldy.

Lord Bracadale confirmed his resignation in a letter to Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.

He wrote, "As the judicial review process developed it became clear that the concerns about my conduct had not been allayed by my decision and that the criticisms have persisted.

"As a result, it is now clear to me that many of the core participants have lost confidence in my conduct of the Inquiry to such an extent that it cannot be retrieved."

Aamer Anwar, the lawyer representing the family of Mr Bayoh, said, “The family are devastated by the decision of Lord Bracadale.

“Over ten years ago, Sheku Bayoh died in police hands and his family have fought for the truth and justice ever since.

“Over the last three years, evidence at the Inquiry exposed the truth of what happened to Sheku Bayoh, the systemic failures, the failure to investigate racism and the devastating and deadly force used on an unarmed black man.

“For the Bayoh family, an unholy trinity of the Police, SPF and Crown Office have tried their very best to shut down this Inquiry, but they cannot hide from the truth.”

21/10/2025

"MY CROP!": CANNABIS GROWER'S PLANS GO UP IN SMOKE

Fire broke out in a cannabis cultivation in a Kirkcaldy attic resulting in the grower shouting, “I’m f*****! I'm f*****! My crop!”

Patryk Bartkowlak then left the country and returned to Poland instead of turning up for his court case, going AWOL for three years.

Today, he finally appeared in the dock at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court almost five years after the fire drama.

Bartkowlak, 42, of Earn Road, Kirkcaldy, admitted that on 11th December 2020 at his then home in High Street, Kirkcaldy, he produced a controlled drug, cannabis.

He initially appeared on petition on 12th January 2021 and was released on bail. He failed to appear for court appearances in March and April in 2022 when he was in Poland and a warrant was granted.

The incident took place at Bartkowlak’s home where was living alone at the time. He had rented the property since 2017.

At around 12.45pm a witness saw fire coming from the roof of the building.

He called the fire service and knocked on all the doors in the building to alert the residents.

When Bartkowlak answered the door he said, “I’m f*****, I’m f*****. My crop.”

The block was evacuated and Bartkowlak went outside.

When the fire service arrived, they found his property was locked. They looked through the letter-box and saw smoke which resulted in them forcing entry.

The firefighters found a cannabis cultivation in the attic and it appeared the blaze had started there.

A warrant was obtained by police and 42 cannabis plants were recovered as well as fans, lights and fertiliser.

The potential value of the cultivation was estimated at between £16,800 and £23,520.

Sheriff John MacRitchie called for reports and Bartkowlak was remanded in custody until sentencing on 11th November.

21/10/2025

PIZZA HUT IN DUNFERMLINE STAYING OPEN

Pizza Hut’s Dunfermline restaurant is not on the list of closures announced by the chain today.

The company has confirmed the 68 restaurants it will close across the UK and six of them are in Scotland.

The Scottish restaurants closing are:
• Dundee
• Edinburgh
• Edinburgh Fountain Park
• Edinburgh Kinnaird Park
• Falkirk
• Inverness