Unpaid work for Inverness man who was complained about by three women over 19-year period

Three different women complained to police about the abuse they suffered from a 47-year-old Inverness man over 19-year period, a sheriff was told.

Martin Shaw, of Fairfield Road, Inverness appeared for sentencing at Inverness Sheriff Court after admitting causing fear and alarm to one woman between January 2001 and January 2004, a course of domestic abuse towards a second from June 2019 to June 2021 and threatening behaviour towards the daughter of that partner in Oscars Bar in Dingwall in September 2020.

Fiscal depute Shamiela Ghafar told Sheriff Gary Aitken that the first complainer was in a casual relationship with Shaw and he would get angry with her repeatedly, clench his fists and on one occasion she had to pick up a rolling pin to protect herself because of his behaviour.

The court heard Shaw met the second woman in 2019 and moved in to her home in Cromartie Drive, Strathpeffer.

Ms Ghafar said: "She began to notice that he had issues with alcohol.

“He would star shouting and swearing, causing fear and alarm.”

The third complainer was a daughter of that woman who had just been released from hospital after an operation and was still in pain, the Sheriff heard.

When she saw Shaw in Oscars Bar she did not want to engage with him, Ms Ghafar said, and he began shouting abuse at her and held a pool cue over his head.

“She was left shaken after the episode”, Ms Ghafar added.

Shaw pled guilty to all three charges.

Sheriff Aitken ordered him to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and Shaw was given a 12-month non-harassment order for all three complainers.