
Twisted West Lothian police officer threatened to torch house of partner's mum
A West Lothian police officer threatened to set fire to his partner's mother's home and spread vicious lies her step-father was a child molester during a horror campaign of domestic abuse.
PC Tariq Mahmood, 45, told the terrified victim he would 'strangle or stab' her as she slept and threatened to take the couple's child away from her.
The woman said Mahmood constantly criticised her parenting skills, made derogatory remarks about her clothes and looks and accused of her of dressing to impress other men.
She also claimed Mahmood refused to speak to her if she did not have sex with him and only complimented her when she wore traditional Asian clothing during two years of abuse between December 2019 and November 2021.
The woman, also a serving police officer at the time, told a court she was so terrified by the brute's behaviour after they split she was forced to change the locks at her home and sleep with a metal bar across the front door.
Mahmood, from Livingston, West Lothian, denied the allegations but was found guilty of abusing the woman following a five day trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year.
He was also found guilty of engaging in a course of behaviour that was abusive of a second former partner by shouting, swearing and assaulting her, all between April 2019 and February 2022.
A Police Scotland chief has now slammed the conduct of the disgraced officer and commended the bravery of the victims for coming forward to report him.
Mahmood returned to the capital court for sentencing on Wednesday where Sheriff John Cook said he had committed 'serious offences' but said there was an alternative to custody.
Sheriff Cook sentenced the officer to a two year supervision order and said he must complete 120 hours of unpaid work as punishment.
The sheriff also ordered Mahmood to attend sessions with the domestic abuse organisation Up2U and handed out non-harassment orders regarding both women for four years.
Defence advocate Edith Forrest KC said her client continued to 'maintain his denial' to the offences but he wanted to apologise to both victims.
Ms Forrest said Mahmood first joined the police in his native Birmingham in 2008 before moving north and transferring to Police Scotland 10 years later.
The advocate said he now plans to resign from his position in the force following the convictions.
The trial heard from one victim who said she met Mahmood while they were both serving police officers and after forming a relationship she fell pregnant with his child in December 2019.
The woman said Mahmood formed an instant hatred of her mother and step-father and had issued a threat to burn down their house and claimed the man was a paedophile.
She said when the couple's child was born he became 'controlling' and 'unpredictable' and had warned her he had 'more parental rights' than her.
The woman said: 'I told him he was coercive and he didn't like that at all. I knew he was using [the child] as a control measure and he just wanted me to know [the child] was his.
'He was shocked I had pointed out that. We were both police officers and both had training in coercive control and domestic abuse.'
The woman said Mahmood had also threatened to take the child away from her after the couple had split in September 2021.
Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
She said: 'I took [the child] to my grans house to stop him taking her to Birmingham because he said she would be better off with his family.
'I wasn't sure if he was going to take her to Pakistan where he had family.
'I was terrified he was going to take her and I would never see her again. I was really scared of him.'
She said the abuse also involved the police officer constantly mocking her parenting skills and admitted she was left 'terrified' of him after they split up.
She told the court: 'He said he would strangle me or stab me in my sleep, then pass it off as a joke. I was scared of him, really scared of him. I was scared what he was capable of.
'I was scared I would wake up one day and he would be at the bottom of my bed. He tried to break me when I was at my lowest point.'
Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison, of Police Scotland, said: 'Mahmood's actions go against everything Police Scotland stands for.
"Our thoughts are with the victims and I hope this conviction provides them with some measure of closure. I commend their strength in reporting these crimes and bringing this individual to justice.
"We understand how difficult it can be to report these kinds of offences, particularly when the perpetrator is a police officer.
"We want the public to be reassured that all reports are thoroughly investigated, no matter when the offending took place or who is involved.
'All officers are bound by our Standards of Professional Behaviour, which apply on and off duty. Any instance where an officer fails to uphold our standards will be investigated and appropriate action taken.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Edinburgh Reporter
8 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
More than 7,000 police officers deployed for visit of President Trump
More than 7,000 officers including many from Edinburgh were mobilised for Operation Roll 2; the policing operation for the visit of the President of the United States. It included local, national and specialist officers from Police Scotland as well as colleagues from UK police forces. The visit took place from Friday, 25 July, until Tuesday, 29 July, 2025, and covered other notable figures meeting the US President in Scotland, including the European Commission President, Prime Minister and First Minister. Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond, Gold commander for the police operation, said: 'This significant event took place safely without any serious disruption. 'A policing plan was put in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption. 'I'd like to thank the public for their patience as we worked tirelessly to deliver this operation, while police work continued in communities across Scotland. 'Most importantly, I'd like to thank our officers and staff. Thank you for your professionalism and hard work during every long shift away from your family and friends. Every single officer and member of police staff should be incredibly proud of how we delivered this significant operation while keeping communities safe across Scotland.' Breakdown of arrests 25-29 July for Operation Roll 2 A 50-year-old woman issued with a Recorded Police Warning on Sunday, 27 July, 2025, near to the American Consulate in Edinburgh for a Section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing Scotland (Act) offence (threatening or abusive behaviour). A 24-year-old man arrested in Glasgow on Friday, 25 July, in relation to a Section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing Scotland (Act) offence (threatening or abusive behaviour) at Balmedie on 24 July, 2025. He is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 20 August, 2025. A 65-year-old woman arrested at Balmedie on Friday, 25 July, 2025 in relation to Section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing Scotland (Act) offence (threatening or abusive behaviour) was cautioned and charged and reported to the Procurator Fiscal. A 25-year-old man arrested in Prestwick on Friday, 25 July, 2025, and issued with a Recorded Police Warning (RPW) for a Section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing Scotland (Act) offence (threatening or abusive behaviour). A 41-year-old man arrested at Glasgow airport on Sunday, 27 July, for assault and Aviation Act offence. He appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday, 28 July, and was remanded in custody. Notable figures 6,144 Police Scotland officers worked on Operation Roll 2. There were 20,748 deployments. 1,197 mutual aid officers from police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 154 police staff. Catering staff handed out around 45,000 meals to police officers, police staff and partners. Like this: Like Related


Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
'Human remains' found on construction site in Paisley as cops lock down scene
Cops were called to the Orchard Street area of Paisley at around 12.40pm on Tuesday, July 29, after reports that remains had been found. A construction site in Paisley has been sealed off after suspected human remains were discovered. Police were called to Orchard Street around 12.40pm on Tuesday, July 29, after reports of the discovery. It is understood that police have remained at the scene overnight. Police say that enquiries are ongoing. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 12.40pm on Tuesday, 29 July, 2025, we were called to a report of possible human remains having been found at a construction site in the Orchard Street area of Paisley. "Enquiries are ongoing.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.


Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots construction site sealed off and cops called in after ‘human remains' found
Cops released a statement following the grim discovery SHOCK DISCOVERY Scots construction site sealed off and cops called in after 'human remains' found A SCOTS construction site has been sealed off after suspected human remains were found. Cops were called to Orchard Street in Paisley, Renfrewshire, at around 12:40pm yesterday. Advertisement Officers attended a building site following reports of the grim discovery. Police remain at the scene today. The force says enquiries are ongoing into the find. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 12.40pm on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, we were called to a report of possible human remains having been found at a construction site in the Orchard Street area of Paisley. Advertisement "Enquiries are ongoing."