Kirkcaldy man tells of fear for family after death threat

Blair Matthews said Scott Brennan came into his street and threatened him before reversing his van at top speed into him.

Mr Matthews said he remains in constant pain from his injuries and has lost his home and business as a result of not being able to work.

Brennan (33), of Wallsgreen Gardens, Cardenden is on trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He denies that on September 27 at Oliphant Way, Kirkcaldy, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by threatening to set fire to the home of Blair Matthews, threatening to run him over and threatening to kill him.

He also denies that on the same day he assaulted Mr Matthews by driving a motor van at him, striking him with the vehicle whereby he was knocked to the ground, all to his severe injury.

Mr Matthews (39) told the court Tuesday that he now lives at another address in Kirkcaldy. He said the incident happened at around 9.30am on a Sunday morning and that there had been “issues” between him and the accused for the previous three years.

He said he was in his home when he heard loud revving from a van and when he looked out of the window he saw it was Brennan’s vehicle.

The witness said he went outside and asked Brennan if there was a problem.

He claimed the response from Brennan was a threat to kill him.

Mr Matthews said he felt “frightened and alarmed” adding, “Mr Brennan is a violent individual and at that point I was scared for my family.”

Mr Matthews said he saw Brennan moving to grab something from the passenger seat and that point he took action. He punched Brennan in the face and kicked off a wing mirror.

He went on, “The van drove off at speed, travelled 100 metres and stopped suddenly. It reversed back as fast as a Transit van could go in reverse.”

The witness said the van kept coming towards him and struck him. “I thought it was going to stop but then it hit me,” he added.

Mr Matthews had moved into the rented four-bedroomed detached house with his family about ten weeks earlier. Before that they had lived in Cardenden, not far from Brennan.

The witness said as a result of the collision he had sustained a broken bone his neck and had to wear a collar for 24 months.

He said his construction groundworks business was no longer in existence because he was unable to work and this also resulted in him being evicted because he could no longer pay his rent.

“He said that day he was going to kill me and he’s left me to face this. It would probably be easier if he had just killed me,” said the witness.

Mr Matthews rubbed his neck throughout giving his evidence. He became agitated and upset when being cross-examined by defence solicitor Charles Jackson.

He turned to Brennan and made an abusive comment before walking out of the witness box, saying he wanted a break.

The jury was sent home for the day at that point. The trial continues.