Fife Reporter (2025)

19/11/2025

UK GOVT POLICIES BLAMED FOR MOSSMORRAN PLANT CLOSURE

Exxon Mobil have blamed UK Government policies for contributing to the closure of its Mossmorran plant.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he will help support the workers there but his government will not sanction a bail out.

Hundreds of jobs are set to be axed when the Fife Ethylene Plant, is closed down February.

Starmer said the firm was losing £1m a week and that "every reasonable avenue" had been explored to keep the plant open.

Exxon Mobil, which said that there was not a "competitive future" for the site, confirmed 179 directly employed jobs would be at risk along with 250 contractors.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch asked, "Is the loss of UK industry the price the country has to pay for having a clueless chancellor?"

The PM replied: "Let me just say about ExxonMobil, it is a difficult time for the workforce there and we must focus on supporting them.

"We've been meeting the company for over six months and have explored every reasonable avenue.

"They've been facing losses for the last five years - it's best to do the details before you chunter - and they're currently losing £1m a week."

Mr Paul Greenwood, Exxon Mobil chairman, said today that there were "four keys to success" in the ethylene business: cheap and abundant ethane, low-cost operations, good market prices and a highly skilled workforce.

He said that while he had a "brilliant workforce", the other conditions were not in place.

Mr Greenwood said that the UK government's commitment to not issue new licences for North Sea oil and gas exploration had contributed to higher ethane prices, while windfall taxes and emissions taxes had increased operating costs.

"We paid £20m last year in CO2 taxes, that will double in the next four or five years," he said.

"My international competitors do not have those costs.

"I also have to deal with high energy costs and those kind of things - so these are deliberate government policies that are undermining us."

First Minister John Swinney said the Scottish Government would do "everything we can to support the workforce" at a "deeply concerning time".

He added that he was pressing the UK government to address high energy prices and the cost of doing business.

19/11/2025

JAIL FOR THUG WHO SPAT IN THE EYES OF A PARAMEDIC HELPING HIM

A 22-year-old man, who spat in the eyes and mouth of a paramedic and punched another, has been jailed for 16 months.

The paramedics were trying to help Jon Kennedy after he was found lying drunk and unconscious in a Dunfermline street.

Kennedy appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court to be sentenced for a catalogue of offences.

These included drink-driving at more than five times over the limit, kicking a police officer and struggling with his sister.

Kennedy, formerly of Blackburn Drive, Cowdenbeath, more recently of Lumphinnans Road, Lochgelly, admitted a series of offences.

On 5th December last year at Blackburn Drive, he took and drove away a car without the consent of the owner and drove it without insurance in Appin Crescent, Dunfermline.

He was driving without displaying ‘L’ plates as a provisional licence holder.

He also admitted that in Appin Crescent he drove having consumed excess alcohol. His reading was 117 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 22 microgrammes.

On 3rd June he shouted, swore, made threats of violence and struggled with a female.

He also assaulted a police officer by kicking him on the leg.

On 24th June at Pilmuir Street, Dunfermline, he assaulted a paramedic by seizing him by the clothing, throwing a lanyard at him and spitting in his face.

He also assaulted a second paramedic by punching him on the body.

At Pilmuir Street, the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline police station, he acted in an aggressive manner, repeatedly shouted and swore and repeatedly made threats of violence.

He later breached bail conditions and on 16th July at Blackburn Drive, he resisted police officers, struggled with him and kicked out his legs.

The drink-driving incident took place at 2am when police came across the car being driven by Kennedy. It was stopped in the middle of the road with no lights on.

The officers then saw Kennedy exit the vehicle and stumble across the road intoxicated. He disappeared into a park but was found shortly afterwards in a back garden telling officers he was “p*****” and “mortal”.

The car belonged to his dad and Kennedy was not given permission to take it.

The assaults on the paramedics occurred after they had been called out to a report of a male lying unconscious in the street.

When he was brought around, it was clear he was intoxicated and became abusive telling one paramedic, “I’ll f****** do you” and “I’m not going to f****** Kirkcaldy”.

He then pulled a lanyard from the paramedic’s neck, threw it back at him before spitting in his face, striking him in the eyes and mouth.

He followed this by punching another paramedic on the chest.

After being taking to the hospital, he continued to create a disturbance, making threats including, “I’ll jump on your f****** head”.

Defence solicitor Elaine Buist said, “He struggles with an alcohol problem. The common theme with the offences is that he has been extremely intoxicated. He has little or no recollection of these events.”

She added, “Being remanded was quite a shock to him. For whatever reason, he didn’t seem to realise there would be consequences for his actions.”

Sheriff Susan Duff jailed Kennedy for a total of 477 days backdated to 29th September when he was remanded in custody.

18/11/2025

SCOTLAND 4 DENMARK 2. SCOTLAND QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP FINALS. FIRST TIME SINCE 1998.

18/11/2025

Halfway there. Scotland one up against Denmark with 45 minutes gone. Scott McTominay's superb overhead kick has the fans dreaming of the World Cup Finals. Long way to go but come on boys!

18/11/2025

SERIAL THIEF CONFRONTED BY ELDERLY COUPLE WHO TRACKED HIM DOWN AND TOOK BACK THEIR STUFF

An elderly couple tracked down a serial thief who broke into their home in broad daylight when they were out.

After finding their Fife home trashed, the couple remembered passing by a suspicious-looking character waiting at a nearby bus stop surrounded by bags.

This was 44-year-old Thomas Johnson, a long-time drug addict and criminal, who had just committed a “particularly horrible” offence.

The Kirkcaldy couple confronted the blood-soaked offender telling him he had their possessions, took a photo of him and called the police.

The thief then made a hasty retreat from the scene and the couple took their stolen property back home.

In a separate incident, Johnson broke into a Leven pharmacy by cutting a hole in the roof.

Johnson, a prisoner at Perth, today appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court by video-link from jail.

He admitted that on 13th August last year he broke into the premises of the Leven Pharmacy, Commercial Road, Leven and stole a quantity of prescription medication.

Then on 6th August this year he broke into a house in Hendry Road, Kirkcaldy, stealing a quantity of jewellery, a laptop computer, a computer tablet, a quantity of alcohol, £100 in cash and a bank card.

Depute fiscal Sarah Smith said the Leven break-in took place at around 10.15pm and involved a hole being cut into the roofing to allow access.

CCTV footage was viewed by police and Johnson initially denied being involved, blaming another person.

In the Kirkcaldy crime, at 10.10am the couple left their home to go to their local bowling club.

When they returned at 12.50pm they found their home had been broken into with a window smashed and covered in blood.

Johnson had cut both his hands in smashing the window of the back door.

On the way home, the husband and wife had spotted a man acting suspiciously at a nearby bus stop. He had been sitting on the ground surrounded by carrier bags.

The couple went to the bus stop and confronted Johnson, immediately spotting he had their back-pack as well the stolen items sticking out of carrier bags.

He claimed he had found the backpack lying at the bus stop and handed it back. Johnson tried to get on a bus which had stopped but the driver refused to let him on.

The couple then took Johnson’s photo and phoned the police which resulted in him heading off and leaving his loot behind.

The couple picked up the stolen goods and took them back home.

Defence solicitor Callum Harris said his client had been released from his latest jail sentence in March.

He soon fell back into his old drug-taking ways and had received threats about debts which had affected his mental health, according to the solicitor.

He conceded Johnson has “an extensive record” and had been taking drugs since he was 11-years-old. Recently, he had been using Va**um and crack co***ne.

Sheriff Susan Duff noted that, amongst his other crimes, Johnson had 30 previous convictions for analogous offences.

She told Johnson that the Kirkcaldy break-in was “particularly horrible”.

She went on, “You invaded the house, the private space of an elderly couple leaving your blood and mess in their home.

“As a result of this incident, their little granddaughters are now too scared to sleep over at the grandparents’ home.”

She jailed Johnson for 28 months.

18/11/2025

MOSSMORRAN SHOCK: EXXON MOBIL SITE TO CLOSE IN FEBRUARY WITH THE LOSS OF HUNDREDS OF JOBS

Hundreds of jobs are set to be lost with the closure of the Exxon Mobil plant in Fife announced today.

The petrochemical company is to close down the Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) at Mossmorran in February.

It has been a major Fife employer for 40 years.

However, a company spokesman said there was not a "competitive future" for the site because of the UK's current economic and policy environment combined with market conditions.

The firm says it plans to have a "full employee consultation" before the closure.

Exxon Mobil says it had been seeking a buyer for several months unsuccessful and its plans now are to clean up and then demolish the site once production ends.

In a statement, the company stated, “We plan to shut down our Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) in February 2026, subject to a full employee consultation.

“We considered various options to continue production and tested the market for a potential buyer, but the UK’s current economic and policy environment, combined with market conditions, high supply costs and plant efficiency, do not create a competitive future for the site.

“FEP has been a cornerstone of chemical production in the UK for 40 years, and its closure reflects the challenges of operating in a policy environment that is accelerating the exit of vital industries, domestic manufacturing, and the high-value jobs they provide.

“We understand and regret the impact this will have on our loyal and valued workforce, contractors and local communities.

“Our priorities are now to support our people through this challenging period, while ensuring continued safe operations through to end of production.”

According to the company, 179 jobs will be directly at risk, along with 250 contractors.

Shell, which processes natural gas liquids on the Mossmoran site, said it was unaffected by the closure.

Its operations at St Fergus in Aberdeenshire, which provides natural gas to the Exxon Mobil facility at Mossmorran, were also unaffected, it added.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said she was "extremely disappointed" by the announcement.

In a statement, Ms Forbes said the Scottish government would set up a task force to discuss what actions it can take, but urged the UK government to consider how it could support workers.

"The news of the expected closure of the Fife Ethelyne Plant and the loss of such high-value jobs is a very significant blow to Scotland's economy," she said.

17/11/2025

STEPPING DOWN: NHS FIFE BOSS TAKES EARLY RETIREMENT

NHS Fife’s chief executive Carol Potter, who has been in charge during the Sandie Peggie tribunal, is quitting her post to take “early retirement”.

She today announced her intention to depart, following a career in the NHS spanning more than 30 years.

Ms Potter presided over the ongoing high-profile employment tribunal brought by nurse Sandie Peggie against the health board.

Ms Peggie was suspended by NHS Fife after she complained about having to share a changing room with trans medic Dr Beth Upton at the Victoria Hospital.

Earlier this year, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay demanded that Ms Potter and her board resign over what he called “dire handling” of the case.

Ms Potter took up the post as interim chief executive in January 2020 and was formally appointed permanently in September that year.

She will formally step down in the summer of next year, and NHS Fife said arrangements will be made to appoint her successor.

Speaking about her decision, she said: “It has been a privilege to serve as chief executive of NHS Fife and to work alongside such talented and dedicated colleagues across health and social care.”

14/11/2025

LENNY, GLADIATOR KERRY AND THE ROLLERS - ALL SET FOR DUNFERMLINE'S LIGHTS SWITCH-ON

The countdown is on for Dunfermline's big Christmas lights switch-on Sunday.

Pars manager Neil Lennon along with local lass, Gladiator and elite downhill cyclist, Kerry Wilson, will be switching on the lights this year before headline act the Bay City Rollers take to the stage.

The heart of Dunfermline will be filled with festive cheer from 11am to 7pm. Here's what you can expect on the big day:

11am - Artisan Craft Market, St Catherine’s Wynd
11am - Funfair and market stalls, Pittencrieff Park
12.30 pm - Christmas Parade, starts at Viewfield Terrace carpark
12.40pm - Main stage entertainment begins with prizes, games, music etc at the Glen Gates (See mainstage program below)
1pm - Reindeer, at Marygate
1pm - Santa’s Grotto, Vartan’s Way (in front of the Andrew Carnegie statue)
1pm - Live entertainment, Hight St/Guildhall St/St Catherine’s Wynd
2pm - Santa Dash, starts at M&s
5pm - Big Light Switch-On with Neil Lennon and Kerry Wilson, Glen Gates
After 5pm - Musical acts,

Councillor James Calder, Convenor of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee, said: "The Christmas Lights Switch on is always one of the biggest and most fun events in Dunfermline and 2025 will be no exception.

"It has been an incredible year for the City of Dunfermline and we're excited to round it off with such a spectacular event. The Big Christmas Light Switch on is a free event with lots of fun and family friendly entertainment for all. Santa's Grotto in the park will be sure to be a big draw for our younger citizens, with the evening rounded off by Scotland's favourite 70s rockers, The Bay City Rollers. "

13/11/2025

DOG WALKING 'EX-SOLDIER' CAUGHT ON VIDEO IN RACIST RANT AT FIFE PARK

A 50-year-old dog walker launched a racist rant against a man in a country park, demanding to know where he came from.

The normally peaceful lochside location became the scene of a “disgusting” and “horrible” tirade of abuse.

The culprit was David Cuddy, who during his diatribe claimed to have served in the British Army.

Cuddy, of Wilson Street, Townhill, (pictured) appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on 26th August at Townhill Country Park, he shouted, swore, acted aggressively and repeatedly made racist remarks towards Muzaffer Akpinar.

Depute fiscal Catherine Stevenson said the incident occurred at 6.45pm as Cuddy walked his two dogs off the lease.

Mr Akpinar, who has a fear of dogs, “froze” when they ran over to him and he shouted to Cuddy to take them away.

Cuddy, who is on benefits, became verbally abusive, shouting in an English accent, “You don’t belong here. Go back to your own f****** country.”

Mr Akpinar began recording the incident on his phone and the video was shown in court.

Cuddy is seen going up to the man and was in his face as he shouted, “You should not be in the UK. Have you got a British passport? Were you born here?”

He also spoke about immigrants being put up in hotels.

The man explained he was not in a hotel, had worked as a translator in this country and owned a house here.

Cuddy then claimed he used to be in the British Army. He also made the bizarre statement that the man had been given his home by the British Army.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said, “He’s embarrassed and ashamed of his conduct.”

Sheriff Susan Duff asked, “Is that just because it was recorded and shown here today?”

“I don’t think he knew it was going to be shown in court,” conceded Mr Morrison.

He added that his client’s position was that the man had made a “sweeping motion with hand” and struck one of the dogs.

The court was told Cuddy has an assistance dog because of epilepsy seizures.

Mr Morrison concluded, “It’s clearly reprehensible behaviour.” He said nothing about Cuddy’s claims to have served in the British Army.

The charge originally included the line that Cuddy had “repeatedly claimed to have been a member of the armed forces when he knew this to be false” but this was deleted

Sheriff Duff noted that Cuddy has 16 previous convictions and that his latest was for “disgusting and frightening conduct to a man walking alone in a park when you were accompanied by two unleashed dogs.”

She told Cuddy, “You are a racist” and added that he had been responsible for a “horrible tirade of racist abuse”.

She imposed a six-month restriction of liberty order.

12/11/2025

"MY CROP!": JAIL FOR CANNABIS GROWER WHOSE CULTIVATION CAUGHT FIRE

A 42-year-old man, who was caught growing cannabis in his attic in Kirkcaldy High Street, has been jailed.

Fire broke out in the cultivation resulting in the panicked grower yelling, “I’m f*****! My crop!”

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

He appeared for sentencing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court almost five years after the fire drama.

Bartkowlak, 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 Charles Lugton jailed Bartkowlak for 12 months.

12/11/2025

"I'LL TAKE A PIECE OF YOU": SHOPLIFTER LUNGED AT TESCO WORKER WITH KNIFE

A serial shoplifter, who lunged at a supermarket worker with a knife, has been jailed.

Calum Baxter, 35, a prisoner at Perth, committed offences in Rosyth and Leven and has now been sentenced at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on 10th July at Tesco, Queensferry Road, Rosyth, he stole a quantity of alcohol.

He also assaulted a worker there by lunging at him and threatening him with violence whilst in possession of a knife.

On 13th and 17th July at Sainsbury’s, Riverside Road, Leven, he stole a quantities of alcohol.

On 17th July at Victoria Road, Leven, he was unlawfully in possession of a Stanley knife.

Depute fiscal Sarah Smith that at 4.20pm Baxter had gone into the Tesco store in Rosyth and a staff member saw him acting suspiciously.

He was then seen putting two bottles of Champagne in a bag and heading for the exit without paying.

The worker confronted him and asked him for the stolen items. Baxter lunged towards him armed with a knife, saying, “I’ll take a piece of you”.

The employee stepped aside and Baxter disappeared with the police being unable to find him on that occasion.

However, when he later repeatedly targeted a store in Leven, entering by a fire door to steal booze, a staff member checked CCTV footage.

Baxter could be seen leaving by the fire exit and entering a car. The registration number was given to the police and when they stopped the vehicle they found Baxter, who was in possession of a Stanley knife.

The court heard Baxter has spent his life in and out of prison and had moved to Fife to stay with his brother.

Sheriff Steven Borthwick jailed Baxter for 30 months backdated to 18th July when he was remanded in custody.

11/11/2025

The Kirkcaldy war memorial on Remembrance Day.

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