Scottish podcaster James English has been found guilty of domestic abuse against his former partner following a 12-day trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
The 43-year-old, who has built a large following through his Anything Goes podcast, was convicted of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards a partner or former partner.
Sheriff David Hall found six allegations within a wider charge containing 19 separate allegations to have been proven.
One allegation had been withdrawn by the Crown during the proceedings.
English’s sentence was deferred until next month while background reports are prepared.
His bail was continued in the meantime.
Court Heard Allegations of Repeated Violence
The court heard that English subjected the woman, who was 30 at the time, to a series of violent incidents between July 2022 and November 2023.
Among the allegations found proven was an incident in which he grabbed the woman by the neck and pinned her against a door while she was pregnant.
The court also heard allegations that he pressed his thumbs into her eyebrows, pulled her by the hair and struck her face with an open hand.
Another incident involved English kicking the woman from a bed after she declined his request for a cuddle.
Relationship Began Through Social Media
The couple first began communicating through social media in July 2022 before meeting in person the following month.
Giving evidence remotely from a courtroom in Cardiff, the woman’s native city, she described English as initially being “nice” and said the relationship progressed quickly.
She told the court that the first violent incident occurred while the pair were lying together in bed during the early hours.
She said English wanted a cuddle but she told him she was feeling sick and asked him to give her a moment.
According to her evidence, English then kicked her towards the right side of her hip, causing her to fall from the bed and hit a wardrobe.
She said the incident left her shocked and wanting to leave.
Woman Described Being Lifted From Her Feet
The court heard that the situation escalated several minutes later when English allegedly followed her into the living room.
The woman said he grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her against a wall.
She described the force as sufficient to lift her from her feet and said she was frightened because English appeared angry.
Despite the incident, the relationship continued and she later discovered she was pregnant.
Alleged Neck-Grabbing Incident Became Key Evidence
Prosecutor Danielle Docherty told the court during closing submissions that English later seized the woman by the neck, compressed it and pinned her against a door.
The prosecutor said the incident lasted around 10 seconds and described the woman as being terrified and panicked while English was aggressive.
The court heard that she remained conscious throughout the incident.
The allegations also included an incident involving English pulling the woman’s hair, causing her to lose her balance, and another in which he allegedly slapped her face, leaving redness.
Threatening Messages Presented During Trial
The court also heard evidence concerning messages English allegedly sent to the woman.
Some of the messages contained insults and threats, including a warning that she was fortunate he had not physically assaulted her.
The prosecution relied on the messages alongside the woman’s evidence concerning the alleged incidents as part of its case.
Defence Challenged Reliability of Evidence
English’s defence disputed the prosecution’s case and argued that it had failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Defence solicitor Calum Weir questioned the absence of photographic evidence and pointed to the woman’s online presence while challenging aspects of her account.
He also argued that she had provided vague dates for some allegations and said certain screenshots, photographs and recordings presented to the court had been cropped or lacked sufficient context.
The defence suggested that some of the material could have been edited or spliced.
Sheriff Finds Former Partner Credible
Despite the defence challenges, Sheriff Hall concluded that the woman was a credible and reliable witness.
In explaining the verdict, he said he was satisfied that parts of the charge had been established and that it was appropriate to convict English on those allegations.
The sheriff also described the relationship as an on-and-off partnership that had continued despite significant difficulties.
He concluded that it appeared to have been a relationship destined to fail but which had continued for longer than it should have.
English Was Absent for Verdict
English was not required to attend court for the verdict after Sheriff Hall was informed that he was out of the country.
His bail remains in place pending sentencing.
The court will consider background reports before determining the appropriate sentence next month.
From Reality Television to Podcast Fame
English first became known publicly through the Scottish reality television programme Glow before establishing himself as a prominent podcast personality.
His Anything Goes podcast has attracted more than 800,000 YouTube subscribers and has featured a wide range of high-profile and controversial guests.
Among those interviewed by English have been Tommy Robinson, Andrew Tate and former footballer Paul Gascoigne.
An interview with Tate reportedly attracted millions of views, helping reinforce English’s reputation as a podcaster willing to engage with controversial public figures.
Kinahan Interview Drew International Attention
English also attracted significant attention through his interview with Daniel Kinahan, the alleged Irish organised crime figure.
The interview took place before Kinahan was extradited from Dubai to Ireland on August 10.
Kinahan, who had been described as one of the world’s most wanted men and was reported to have assets worth more than £1 billion, told English during the interview that he had not been an angel but was looking forward to returning home.
The meeting added to the public profile surrounding English’s podcast and its reputation for securing access to controversial figures.
A Football Career That Never Materialised
Before becoming a television personality and podcaster, English had ambitions of making it as a professional footballer.
As a teenager, he was on the books of Hibernian and later acknowledged that he did not possess the dedication or temperament required to reach the professional game.
He credited the Scottish Premiership club with helping prevent him from being sent to a children’s home.
Earlier Celebrity Attention
English also received widespread attention in 2017 following a brief relationship with former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona.
The relationship lasted around two months but generated significant media coverage at the time.
His public profile subsequently grew substantially through podcasting, where he developed a large audience around long-form conversations with personalities from entertainment, sport and controversial political and social circles.
What’s Next?
English’s immediate legal future will depend on the background reports being prepared for the court.
His sentencing has been deferred until next month, while his bail remains in force.
The guilty verdict also marks a significant development in the legal proceedings, with the court having accepted parts of the prosecution’s case despite the defence’s challenges over the reliability and context of the evidence.
Summary
James English, the Scottish podcaster known for Anything Goes, has been found guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards his former partner.
The court heard allegations involving physical violence, including incidents involving the woman’s neck, hair and face, as well as threatening messages.
Six allegations from a 19-part charge were found proven, with one allegation withdrawn during the trial.
Sheriff David Hall said he considered the woman credible and reliable.
English’s sentencing has been deferred until next month, pending background reports, and his bail has been continued.
