Woman to pay £600 award for cat killer graffiti

LochgeLLy: Offender spray-painted remarks on to windows of neighbour

A 61-year-old Fife woman, who caused £2,800 damage to a neighbour’s car, has been sentenced.

Christine Beveridge spray-painted ‘Cat Killer’ over the home of a next-door neighbour involved a high-profile court case.

The Lochgelly home of a cat-killing offender Craig Mills was targeted by Beveridge who spray-painted his windows and walls with graffiti.

Mills was eventually jailed for his offence but Beveridge decided to take matters into her own hands and as a result she also ended up the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

She daubed ‘Cat killer’ on the outside of Mills’ home.

She also targeted a car in her street, not connected with Mills. She spraypainted ‘Grass’ on the vehicle, causing damage which cost £2,800 to repair.

The sentencing had been delayed on numerous occasions since Beveridge admitted the offences last year.

Beveridge, of Union Street, Lochgelly, admitted that on July 1 at Union Street, she wilfully or recklessly destroyed or damaged property belonging to someone else by spray-painting offensive remarks on to walls and windows.

She also admitted that in Union Street on the same day she spray-painted offensive remarks on to a car.

Defence solicitor Sarah Meehan said: “The background here was a neighbourhood dispute. Mrs Beveridge had expressed concern about her neighbours’ treatment of their pet cat. She subsequently heard that the cat had died and she believed they were responsible. She also had significant mental health issues at the time.

“She is 61 and her offending behaviour has started late in her life which has been as a result of these mental health difficulties and the abuse of drugs and alcohol.”

The solicitor said the £144 cost of repairs to the council house spraypainted by Beveridge had been re-paid.

However, she is not working and not in a position to pay back the cost of damage to the car.

Sheriff Charles MacNair said: “The figure of £2,800 is not affordable by you and any order has to be affordable.”

Instead he ordered Beveridge to pay £600 compensation.

The £144 cost of repairs to the council house spray-painted by Beveridge has been re-paid.