Lochaber man guilty of domestic abuse at Oban court
Source: pressandjournal.co.uk
TL;DR
- Lochaber businessman Gavin MacKinnon found guilty of domestic abuse at Oban Sheriff Court after trial.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)[[2]](https://www.facebook.com/ThePressandJournal/posts/gavin-mackinnon-was-found-guilty-after-a-trial-at-oban-sheriff-court-read-more-h/1607825568012700)
- He engaged in abusive behaviour, including vile messages to ex-partner, from April 1 to November 20, 2023 at locations in Claggan area.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)
- Conviction highlights court response to non-physical domestic abuse in Scottish Highlands community.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)
The story at a glance
A Lochaber businessman, Gavin MacKinnon of Grant Place, Claggan, was found guilty at Oban Sheriff Court of domestic abuse against his ex-partner through a course of abusive behaviour.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william) The case involves vile messages sent between April 1 and November 20, 2023. It is reported now following the trial verdict on or around April 17, 2026.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)
Key points
- Gavin MacKinnon, a director at West Property Group in the Fort William area, convicted after trial.[[2]](https://www.facebook.com/ThePressandJournal/posts/gavin-mackinnon-was-found-guilty-after-a-trial-at-oban-sheriff-court-read-more-h/1607825568012700)[[3]](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/gavin-mackinnon-3139864)
- Charged with engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards ex-partner over seven months in 2023.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)
- Abuse involved sending a series of vile messages; trial held at Oban Sheriff Court serving Lochaber region.[[2]](https://www.facebook.com/ThePressandJournal/posts/gavin-mackinnon-was-found-guilty-after-a-trial-at-oban-sheriff-court-read-more-h/1607825568012700)[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)
- Incidents occurred at locations including Claggan, near Fort William.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)
- No details available on sentence, as reporting focuses on guilty verdict post-trial.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)
Details and context
MacKinnon lives in Grant Place, Claggan, a residential area in Fort William, Lochaber. He works in property, linked to firms like West Property Group Scotland Ltd and West Holidays, with offices in Fort William and Oban.[[4]](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC758337/filing-history)[[3]](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/gavin-mackinnon-3139864)
The charge matches Scotland's Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, which covers courses of abusive behaviour causing fear or alarm, including psychological abuse via messages without needing physical violence.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)
Oban Sheriff Court handles cases from Lochaber due to geography; Fort William lacks a full sheriff court for trials. Sentencing likely deferred or pending, as article reports conviction only.[[1]](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/6998832/lochaber-domestic-abuse-conviction-court-fort-william)
Key quotes
None reported in accessible sources.
Why it matters
Domestic abuse convictions like this one spotlight non-physical harm such as coercive messaging, which can deeply affect victims long-term in tight-knit Highland communities.
For locals and businesses, it flags reputational risks for professionals involved and reinforces community intolerance for such behaviour.
Watch for sentencing at Oban Sheriff Court, which could include non-harassment orders or jail time, though details remain uncertain until reported.