Police Constable Scott Ritchie, 36, has been convicted of subjecting a former girlfriend to a five-year campaign of abuse after they met on the dating app Tinder. The officer, from Motherwell, Lanarkshire, was found guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court of breaching domestic abuse laws between April 2019 and October 2024.
Controlling behaviour and humiliation
The 36-year-old nurse, who gave evidence from behind screens, described how Ritchie's behaviour became increasingly controlling and manipulative. He accused her of cheating, became jealous when male friends liked her photos online, and made derogatory comments about her appearance. The abuse occurred at various locations in Lanarkshire and during a holiday in Spain, where he turned up uninvited.
In one incident, Ritchie burst into the bathroom while she was bathing and poured a pot of freezing cold water over her, leaving her feeling humiliated. She told the court: "I had locked the bathroom door for privacy and about five or 10 minutes later he used something to turn the lock on the outside, maybe a coin or something, and just came in and poured cold water over me for no apparent reason and the water was freezing cold." When she asked why, Ritchie said it was funny, but she described it as "very controlling."
Constant harassment and surveillance
Throughout the relationship, Ritchie bombarded her with phone calls and texts, demanded she spend time with him over her friends, and repeatedly turned up at her door uninvited. He also filmed her while she was drunk and "acting erratically" at a party after he had prepared drinks for her. The woman said: "We were just in a love bubble but then things started to change quite quickly. There were red flags a few months in. I felt he was very narcissistic, controlling and manipulative."
Court proceedings and denial
Ritchie denied any wrongdoing and wept in the dock as the verdict was read. When questioned about the bath incident, he claimed: "She was never in my bath and I would have given her the privacy to have a bath or shower in peace, she was my partner." Depute fiscal Jack Muir described Ritchie's evidence as that of a "police officer turned spin doctor." Sheriff Shirley McKenna told the shamed constable: "Your behaviour indicates that you are a person with insecurity and control issues."
Sentence deferred and police response
Sentence was deferred until next month for reports, and Ritchie had his bail continued. Prosecutors are seeking a non-harassment order to ban him from contacting his victim. Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison said: "Ritchie's actions go against everything Police Scotland stands for. Our thoughts are with the victim in this case and I hope this conviction provides her with some measure of closure. I commend their strength in reporting these crimes and bringing this individual to justice." She added: "We want the public to be reassured that all reports are thoroughly investigated, no matter when the offending took place or who is involved."
