Ex-policeman fined for assaulting wife in Inverness
A retired policeman who lost his temper with his wife because he thought she was drinking too much has been fined £470.
Sentence had been deferred on 67-year-old Ian Thomson – who was an officer for 30 years – for six months for his good behaviour after he admitted striking her twice on the head in their home in Carruthers Place, Inverness on November 26 last year.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard in March this year that the couple, who have been married for 39 years, had consumed a bottle of wine before the assault.
Fiscal depute Victoria Silver said: "She decided she wanted another and went out to get one. When she returned they began arguing. Then a friend saw her sitting on a patio chair outside in the garden and the accused was seen to slap her on the face."
Ms Silver said Thomson struck her again on the head in a bedroom which was again witnessed by a neighbour through the window.
Defence solicitor John MacColl told Sheriff Robert Frazer: "Without being too unkind to my client's wife, she has had a bit of an issue with alcohol and he reacted out of frustration.
"She has written saying 'I don't want anything to happen to him. He doesn't deserve it.'"
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The court heard that the relationship is to continue.
Sheriff Sara Matheson was presiding when Thomson returned for sentencing and although she was told Thomson had not committed any further offences, she decided to fine him for the assault.
