12/12/2025
EX-MARINE'S PLAN TO DRIVE INTO PEDESTRIANS IN FIFE TOWN
A former Royal Marine threatened to drive a vehicle into a crowd of people in Fife and “take out as many as possible”.
The former partner of 44-year-old Finn Gilfillan was alarmed by his threats to plough into a crowd.
He phoned her to say he was unhappy about shortly being discharged from a mental health hospital and revealed his sinister plan.
Gilfillan of Beech Crescent, Rosyth, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court by video-link from prison for sentencing.
Depute fiscal Johnny Bruce said, “He stated he would go to the nearest town, put his foot down and take out as many people as possible.
“He said he wanted to be remembered and to go out with a bang.”
His ‘ex’ was so upset by the threat that she called staff at the hospital and the police were informed.
Gilfillan has now been jailed for a long list of offences which included threatening neighbours, spitting in the face of a police officer and shouting abuse at terrified children in a parked car.
He became annoyed at a car alarm going off in a Sainsbury’s car park near his home and started shouting at two kids whose aunt had gone into the store and his behaviour left them “hysterical”.
Gilfillan admitted that on 10th February at Beech Crescent, he was aggressive towards two people, repeatedly shouted, approached their property and made threats about his dog.
A young couple were taking shopping their car into the house when Gilfillan appeared.
He shouted at the 21-year-old woman “Ow, what are you looking at?”
Her partner said to him, “What are you 14?”
Gilfillan then said about his dog, “Do you want me to let him off the lead?”
He said he would let the dog attack them.He then shouted at the woman’s dad when he came to the door to see what was going on.
Another time he had gone to farmhouse late at night asking for the use of a bottle opener for his beer.
He had his dog with him and he was told to keep away from an area where ducks are kept.
Gilfillan responded by shouting at the residents, calling them “f****** English c****” and ranting about Bonnie Prince Charlie.
He admitted that on 28th November at Brucehaven Farmhouse, Limekilns, he shouted, swore and made racially offensive remarks.
Gilfillan had also admitted a catalogue of further offences.
On 28th December last year at Sainsburys, Unwin Avenue, Rosyth, he shouted, swore and made threats.
On 9th January at his home, he repeatedly shouted, swore and played music at an excessive level.
On 10th February at a neighbouring property, he acted aggressively towards two people, repeatedly shouted, approached their home and made threats.
On 15th April in his street, he shouted, swore and threatened to damage property.
On 16th April at a neighbouring property he shouted, swore, obstructed a car and challenged a man to a fight.
On 12th May, he went to another neighbour’s home, shouted, swore, acted aggressively and made homophobic comments.
On 13th May at Brunton House, High Street, Cowdenbeath, he acted aggressively, swore, made threats of violence and offensive remarks. This was a voicemail sent to a social worker with Gilfillan saying he meant to send it to an insurance company.
Then on 22nd July at Stratheden Hospital, he phoned his former partner and stated that on being discharged he would obtain a vehicle, go to a town and drive towards pedestrians with the intention of striking them.
Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said, “He has a significant issue with alcohol which appears to result in him becoming uninhibited.”
He added that when he was in the Royal Marines his client sustained a fractured skull which resulted in him being in hospital for months and he also suffers from PTSD.
Mr Morrison called for his client to be released on bail pending another psychiatric report but this was rejected.
Sheriff Krista Johnston told Gilfillan, “This was a litany of offending committed by you against all sorts of people. Neighbours, people out doing their shopping, young children, police, social workers.”
She jailed him for 21 months backdated to 25th July when he was remanded in custody.
Gilfillan was also put on a one-year non-harassment order.
