On 7 April 2026, the High Court in Edinburgh heard how 21-year-old serial domestic abuser Rhys Burnett—originally of Livingston, West Lothian—abducted his ex-girlfriend and drove her at such speeds that she leaped from the moving vehicle in fear for her life. Burnett, now a prisoner at HMP Addiewell, pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour, breaching bail conditions, and abduction. It was reported that the investigation established a pattern of “controlling and possessive” conduct that began almost immediately after the pair started dating in November 2024.
The investigation established that Burnett utilized technology to maintain dominance, forcing the victim to keep a tracking app active on her iPhone at all times. The High Court heard that his abuse included physical violence against her friends, driving at 110mph in a 30mph zone to intimidate her, and threatening her professional reputation as a trainee dental nurse with false allegations of data leaking. The prosecution reported that even after being granted bail at Livingston Sheriff Court in June 2025 with strict orders to stay away, Burnett sent dozens of threatening texts to coerce a meeting.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that on 20 July 2025, Burnett met the victim at Old Cousland Road and refused to let her leave his vehicle. Prosecutor Leanne Cross established that Burnett seized the victim’s phone, grabbed her clothing, and made threats of impending violence, stating, “Watch what’s going to happen.” The investigation established that as Burnett slowed at a junction on Kingscavil Road, the victim jumped from the car, striking the concrete and suffering head injuries and abrasions before fleeing to a nearby farm for help.
Judge Lord Stuart heard that the farmer and his wife witnessed the victim screaming, “He’s trying to kill me,” while Burnett followed on foot, shouting at her not to involve the police. The prosecution reported that Burnett has a significant history of violence and domestic offending against previous partners. The investigation established that the victim was treated at St John’s Hospital in Livingston for injuries sustained during her desperate escape from the moving vehicle.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the records reported in West Lothian and Edinburgh, the status of Rhys Burnett as of April 8, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Status: REMANDED (Awaiting sentencing at HMP Addiewell; pleaded guilty April 2026).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Abusive behaviour towards a partner; Abduction; Breach of bail).
- Sentencing Date: Pending (Awaiting background reports as ordered by Lord Stuart).
- Previous Record: Convicted serial domestic abuser; History of violence against multiple partners.
- DBS Status: Likely subject to an indefinite ban on working with vulnerable groups upon sentencing.
- Judicial Oversight: Proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh; investigated by Police Scotland.
- Criminal Record: Forced a victim to jump from a moving car; Drove at 110mph in a 30mph zone; Used digital tracking to control movements; Assaulted a victim’s male friend.
- Origin: Livingston, West Lothian.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Burnett is managed as a high-risk violent offender within the Scottish prison estate. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “serial domestic abuse” and his “blatant disregard” for court-ordered bail conditions—his management is a priority for the Police Scotland Domestic Abuse Taskforce. Authorities state that his escalation from controlling behaviour to kidnapping and endangering life identifies him as an individual who presents a critical and ongoing threat to women.
As a convicted abuser, his details are permanently recorded on the national police database. Authorities state that his eventual sentencing will likely include a significant custodial term followed by a non-harassment order and potentially an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) given his repeat offending. Any failure to comply with future licence conditions or any attempt to contact the victim in Livingston or elsewhere will result in immediate re-incarceration to ensure the safety of the public from his demonstrated pattern of predatory and life-threatening domestic violence.
QUESTION – Given that the offender used a tracking app to monitor his victim’s exact movements, do you believe that “Digital Stalking” should carry the same mandatory minimum sentence as physical assault?
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