Son goes on six-month vandalism spree against mother's new boyfriend

Vandalism: Sheriff Grant McCulloch said Grieve's actions were 'not just a childish prank'.

A son went on a six-month vandalism spree against his mother's new boyfriend after blaming him for breaking up his "happy family".

Jamie Lee Grieve became angry when his mother began a new relationship with Kevin Macbride, resulting in his parents splitting up. He began slashing the tyres of cars owned by his mother and Mr Macbride and targeted vans owned by the social enterprise charity he worked for.

The 21-year-old also daubed "Paedo Macbride" on the Furniture Plus building in Dysart where Mr Macbride worked, as well as putting glue in the locks of a series of houses.

Fiscal depute Susannah Hutchison told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court that the damage caused cost more than £3500 to repair. She said: "On April 21 Mr Macbride parked at his home address - the car was secure and undamaged.

"Around 10pm he was looking outside and saw the accused near the vehicle. In the morning he saw all four tyres were flat and the paintwork was scratched."

Grieve later targeted the same car again, slashing two tyres with a knife, and carving the letters X and Y into the bonnet. On May 27 he slashed all four tyres of a van Mr Macbride was driving.

On another date in September Grieve spray painted "paedo Macbride" on the building again, as well as Mr Macbride's address.

On October 7 Grieve slashed the tyres of another van and scratched the paintwork. He left a note stating: "Thank paedo Macbride and the red head. Your manager was told this would happen but thought more of them than your safety. Have a nice day with your deliveries."

Ms Hutchison, prosecuting, said Grieve was later detained after a tip off. He told police: "It was to cause him inconvenience."

Miss Hutchison added: "Mr Macbride was in a relationship with the accused's mother and there were feelings of resentment with that for the accused."

Grieve, from Kirkcaldy, pled guilty to a charge of engaging in a course of conduct which caused Mr Macbride fear and alarm between April 21 and October 11, 2011 at a series of addresses in Fife.

Gordon Spence, defending, said: "As I understand it this was quite a happy family relationship. He was living with his parents but this relationship between his mother and Mr Macbride starts and that happy family breaks down. That has had a huge effect on him."

Sheriff Grant McCulloch deferred sentence until next month and warned Grieve he could face jail.

He said: "The nature and duration of this offence might mean jail is necessary. This is a serious and lengthy course of targeted vandalism. It was one which caused fear and alarm to this individual and no doubt distress to your own mother.

"It was not just a childish prank which you may have thought it was."

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