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Scottish zoo manager attacked owner of animal centre after love triangle turned violent

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
AuthorGordon Currie
Published date21 June 2022
Publication titleEdinburghLive (Scotland)
Kenneth Gibney was brought in as boss of the Fife Animal Centre after it was bought over by animal experts Michael Knight and partner Briony Taylor

But Knight and Gibney clashed over the running of the zoo after Briony left her partner and started a relationship with the zoo manager, reports the Daily Record.

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The fall-out led to bullying accusations by Gibney – who lashed out at Knight in front of shocked staff at the centre by pushing him over before kicking him on the body.

Now Gibney, who was sacked after the attack, has avoided jail after admitting assaulting Knight at the Fife Animal Centre in Ladybank in February.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard how Knight, originally from Essex, and Taylor, from Wales, moved to Scotland to take on the zoo, only for the latter to end the relationship and form a new relationship with Gibney.

The court was told Gibney, who still lives with Taylor at the zoo, threatened to kill the company director and was ultimately sacked from his role for gross misconduct.

Gibney, 34, defending himself in court, told how he and Knight "had a lot of problems".

He said: "He antagonised me in front of the staff I was managing at the time.

"I tried to walk away and he said, 'Don't you dare walk away – I'm your line manager now.' That's when I told him to f*** off. He was trying to belittle me.

"I lost my composure and my professionalism. I feel embarrassed I have ended up here in front of...

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