Scottish podcaster James English has been convicted of domestic abuse against his former partner, who was pregnant at the time of the offences.
English, who built up a sizeable following through his podcast interviewing gangsters, criminals and controversial figures, was found guilty following a trial. The conviction marks a significant fall from grace for one of Scotland’s most recognisable online personalities.
The court heard how English subjected his former partner to a pattern of abusive behaviour during their relationship. The fact that she was pregnant at the time of the abuse made the case all the more serious in the eyes of the court.
Domestic abuse cases in Scotland are prosecuted under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, which was landmark legislation designed to capture the full range of controlling and coercive behaviour, not just physical violence. The law was widely praised for recognising that abuse often goes far beyond physical assault and includes psychological harm, isolation and financial control.
English had positioned himself as a prominent media figure in Scotland, with his podcast racking up millions of views and earning him a platform that few independent Scottish broadcasters have managed to build. His interviews with high-profile criminals and gangland figures made him a well-known name well beyond Scotland’s borders.
The conviction will now raise serious questions about his future in broadcasting and whether platforms will continue to host and promote his content.
Advocates working in the domestic abuse sector have long highlighted that abuse can happen in any relationship regardless of the public profile of those involved. Organisations such as Scottish Women’s Aid have repeatedly called for greater awareness that perpetrators of domestic abuse are not always who people expect them to be.
The case also puts a spotlight back on the treatment of victims who come forward to report abuse against partners who are well-known or well-liked publicly. Victims in such situations often face additional pressure and scrutiny, with their accounts questioned more heavily because of the public standing of the person they are accusing.
Scotland has made significant strides in how it handles domestic abuse cases in recent years. Specialist domestic abuse courts operate in some areas, and police and prosecutors have received dedicated training to better support victims through what can be an incredibly difficult legal process.
However, campaigners say there is still much work to be done, particularly when it comes to ensuring victims feel safe enough to come forward and that they are supported throughout the entire process, from the initial report right through to the conclusion of any trial.
English has not yet been sentenced following the guilty verdict. The sentencing diet will take place at a later date, at which point the court will consider the appropriate punishment for the offences he has been convicted of.
The case has attracted considerable attention given English’s public profile, and reaction on social media has been swift, with many of his former supporters expressing shock at the outcome of the trial.
Absolutely vile behaviour. No excuses for that whatsoever, doesn’t matter how famous you think you are. Hope she and the baby are doing alright now, that must have been a terrifying situation to go through.
Absolutely vile behaviour. No excuses for that whatsoever, doesn’t matter how famous you think you are. Hope she and the baby are doing alright and he gets everything he deserves from the courts.