Darren Reape, 33, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison following a dramatically orchestrated plot to murder a family of five in Lochgelly, Fife. The attack unfolded on the night of 8 February 2023 when Reape allegedly reacted to his discovery that his partner had been in a relationship with the male occupant of the family home.

The High Court in Dundee heard that Reape enlisted the help of Michael Reddington, who drove a stolen vehicle into the integral garage of the family’s home, while another accomplice, 44-year-old Robert Lawrie, contributed by purchasing petrol to facilitate the fire. The attack itself was caught on CCTV, showing the family’s children desperately fleeing the premises as their father bravely returned inside to combat the ensuing blaze.

Judge Paul Brown highlighted the harrowing circumstances, noting that, at approximately 10.30pm, the family was asleep in their home when the vehicle collided with the garage. Upon hearing the crash, the father rushed to investigate, only to find the car engulfed in flames. He took immediate action to prevent further disaster, using his own vehicle to push the burning car away from the house.

The devastating fire could have resulted in catastrophic consequences; however, the father’s prompt actions, combined with the efforts of his wife, meant that the family was able to escape safely, albeit with emotional scars. The court was informed of the significant psychological impact on the family, especially on the mother and the children, who no longer feel secure in their home.

During the trial, Reape was found guilty of attempted murder and was also convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice by coercing his ex-wife into providing him with a false alibi. Judge Brown imposed a lifelong ban on Reape from contacting any of his victims. Lawrie, who was found guilty of endangering the family’s lives, was sentenced to eight years.

In remarks made during the sentencing, Judge Brown stated, “You contracted Michael Reddington to carry out this act… born of a desire for revenge on the male householder.” He condemned the actions surrounding the plot as “the very highest end of the spectrum of conduct which can be characterised as culpable and reckless.”

While Reddington previously admitted to a single charge of culpable and reckless conduct, arising from his involvement in this dangerous scheme, he received a seven-year sentence.

Following the sentencing, defence counsel for both Reape and Lawrie acknowledged that events had spiralled out of control and emphasised the fortunate outcome that, despite the nature of the incident, no one was mortally harmed during the attack. The case illustrates a significant failure of interpersonal relationships manifesting in an act of extreme violence, with severe repercussions for all parties involved.

Source: Noah Wire Services