Men jailed after planning targeted attack on two adults and three children in Fife

Two men have been sentenced for planning a targeted attack on a family of five in Lochgelly.

It comes after a car was crashed and deliberately set on fire on the driveway of a property on Station Road in the town around 10.50pm on February 8, 2023.

Following an “extensive” investigation, Darren Reape, 33, and Robert Lawrie, 44, were arrested and charged in connection with the organisation of the attack.

Reape was sentenced to 13 years, and Lawrie was sentenced to eight years at the High Court in Dundee on Friday.

Police said although neither man was present at the time of the attack, an investigation uncovered their involvement.

Detective inspector Kieran Marsh described the attack as a “dangerous, despicable, and deliberate” attempt to endanger the lives of two adults and three young children.

“Fortunately, no one was injured, but the family feared for their lives and it was only the quick thinking by the householder that prevented this from becoming even more serious,” he said.

“This was a complex investigation, and I would like to thank the family and the local community for their assistance in bringing these men to justice.”

He added: “I would also like to thank partners for their assistance and all of the officers involved for their hard work which helped bring the investigation to a positive conclusion.”

The driver of the car, Michael Reddington, aged 40, was previously sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to culpable and reckless conduct to danger of life at the High Court in Edinburgh in June 2023.