My violent ex-partner moved in two streets away

Emma Artis spent almost four years rebuilding her life after her ex-partner's domestic violence, only to find out that the man who terrorised her had been rehoused just two streets away.

Emma says she finally found the strength to leave him after years of physical, mental and financial abuse when he held a knife to her throat in 2020.

He was convicted of domestic violence offences, sent to prison and given a non-harassment order, but this has not prevented him leaving jail and being given social housing in the same village that Emma and her three children live in.

The primary school teacher told BBC Scotland News her family now feel "completely unsafe" and she fears her life could be in danger.

In rehousing her abuser so close to her, Ms Artis said West Lothian council had "facilitated" his "extended arm of abuse".

"My options were to stay captive where I was... or become homeless," she said.

West Lothian Council said that under current national legislation, local authorities were unable to prevent perpetrators from being rehomed in the same area as their victims unless there were restrictions as part of their conviction.