Key Points
- Glasgow Sheriff Court deferred sentencing for 43-year-old podcaster James English to allow for a domestic abuse behaviour assessment.
- Sheriff David Hall ordered an evaluation to determine if English is suitable for the Caledonian Men’s Programme.
- A jury convicted English after a 12-day trial of carrying out a course of abusive behaviour against a former partner from July 2022 to November 2023.
- Proven acts of violence included pinning the pregnant victim against a door, pressing his thumbs into her eyebrows, hitting her face, and kicking her off a bed.
- Defence lawyer Tommy Ross KC noted that social work reports confirmed English cooperated fully during his pre-sentencing assessment.
- Sheriff Hall adjourned the case until 11 December 2026 to review the assessment report and decide on a non-harassment order.
GLASGOW (Oxford Daily) November 11, 2026 — As reported by Lucinda Cameron of PA Media, 43-year-old podcaster James English appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday for sentencing following his conviction on domestic abuse charges.
Rather than handing down an immediate sentence, Sheriff David Hall elected to defer proceedings so that English could undergo a formal assessment for inclusion in the Caledonian Men’s Programme.
The court received a pre-sentencing social work report alongside a reference provided by a former partner. Addressing the defendant directly, Sheriff David Hall stated: “I’ve had sight of the justice social work report, clearly you have co-operated fully in the preparation of the report.
There is a request for you to be considered for the Caledonian Men’s Programme. They require a period of assessment and I am minded to allow that. I will defer sentence for the Caledonian Men’s Programme report to be prepared.”
Sheriff Hall confirmed that the court will also continue its consideration of a potential non-harassment order to restrict English’s contact with the victim. Sentencing was officially adjourned until 11 December 2026, with English remaining on bail.
As noted by Tommy Ross KC, representing English, the defence submitted that a justice social work report previously ordered by the court was fully completed with English’s full cooperation.
“I’ve had sight of the justice social work report, clearly you have co-operated fully in the preparation of the report. There is a request for you to be considered for the Caledonian Men’s Programme.” — Sheriff David Hall
What Specific Charges and Evidence Were Presented at the Trial?
As reported by Geraldine McKelvie of The Guardian, English was convicted after a 12-day trial of engaging in a course of abusive behavior towards a former partner between July 2022 and November 2023 at properties in Glasgow and elsewhere.
The court heard detailed testimony regarding multiple acts of violence and emotional distress inflicted upon the victim. Among the proved allegations, the court established that English seized the victim by the neck and pinned her against a wall and door while she was pregnant.
He was also convicted of pressing his thumbs forcefully into her eyebrows, kicking her on the body—causing her to fall from a bed—and physically striking her on the face.
During her court testimony, the victim described feeling “shocked” and wanting to escape the environment. Describing one instance, she detailed how English approached her on a sofa, grabbed her by the shoulders to force her up, and pushed her against a wall with sufficient force to lift her off the floor.
Sheriff Hall noted at the conclusion of the evidence: “I am satisfied that it is appropriate to convict of parts of the charge. There was a lot of evidence that this relationship was on-off between them.”
“He came over to the sofa where I was sat and he grabbed me by the shoulders for me to stand and pushed me against the wall.” — Victim’s Testimony
Background of the Development
James English, originally from Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, first gained public attention through his appearance on the Scottish reality television show Glow.
He subsequently established a significant digital footprint as host of the YouTube podcast Anything Goes, which accumulated over 800,000 subscribers. The channel gained visibility through interviews with high-profile media personalities, true crime figures, and political activists.
The Caledonian Men’s Programme is a court-mandated behavioural intervention initiative operating across Scotland. Designed specifically for men convicted of domestic abuse offences, the program combines group work and individual sessions aimed at challenging abusive attitudes, addressing controlling behavior, and reducing reoffending risks.
Participation requires an initial assessment to evaluate a perpetrator’s suitableness and willingness to engage actively in long-term behavioural change.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect the Audience and Stakeholders
The decision to evaluate English for a court-mandated rehabilitation program creates notable implications for various stakeholder groups:
- Victims and Advocacy Organisations: For victim support groups and survivors of domestic violence, deferring sentencing in favour of a behaviour modification assessment highlights the judicial system’s emphasis on long-term rehabilitation alongside accountability. However, it also underscores concerns regarding ongoing protections, making the court’s ultimate determination on non-harassment orders a critical focal point.
- Digital Media Audiences and Subscribers: With an audience exceeding 800,000 subscribers, English’s platform reach means the court’s final ruling and any required participation in rehabilitation programs could influence public conversations around domestic abuse accountability within online creator communities.
- Legal and Judicial Precedents: The trial outcome and upcoming December 11 decision demonstrate how Scottish courts apply the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 to course-of-conduct offences, potentially setting a clear standard for how public figures convicted of domestic abuse are managed through the justice system.
