Daniel Gallacher, 31, who has convictions for rape and abduction, has been jailed for 237 days for threatening and abusive behaviour towards his mother and for striking her on the head. The offences occurred at her home in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, while he was on bail and early release from prison.
Curry Sauce Incident Sparks Terror
On February 1, a delivery driver arrived at the home of Karen McKay with a food order, but a portion of curry sauce fell to the floor. Gallacher yelled at his mother that she "would have some f*****g mess to clean up", threw a fork at her, and shouted abuse. Karen was so frightened she shut herself in the bathroom and contacted a relative for help.
When police arrived, Karen told officers: "I'm terrified of him. I thought he was going to kill me. He's terrible when he's like this. I feel like a prisoner in my own home. I tried to explain it wasn't my fault I dropped his food. I offered to phone and ask for a new one but he just flew off the handle."
Previous Abduction and Assault
Last year, Gallacher and his brother Craig were involved in the abduction of Nathan Dawson in Coatbridge in December 2024. The brothers bundled the landscaper into a car and drove him to a remote spot seven miles away, where Daniel Gallacher beat him with a wrench. Nathan, 20, took his own life in October last year, three weeks before the brothers' trial was to take place. His family said he was terrified at the prospect of giving evidence against them.
Daniel Gallacher, previously jailed for six years for rape, was sentenced to 32 months for abducting and assaulting Nathan. He was freed on licence in January this year and within weeks was back in trouble.
Court Sentencing
Gallacher admitted threatening or abusive behaviour towards his mum on February 1 and was also convicted of striking her repeatedly on the head during another incident on May 2. Defence lawyer Eddie Kelly suggested an anger management programme might help control his offending. However, Sheriff Tony McGlennan said he couldn't ignore the fact that Gallacher was on bail and on early release from prison at the time of the offences, and jailed him for 237 days.
