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Wife pestered with messages after break-up Inverness court is told


By Ali Morrison

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Inverness Sheriff Court.
Inverness Sheriff Court.

A NAIRN businessman who was struggling with the break-up of his marriage pestered his estranged wife with emails and messages, some of them abusive and threatening.

Lee Macdonald, of Montrose Avenue, Auldearn, split up with his spouse Eilidh in October last year but they continued to be business partners in the coal supply firm Nairn Fuels.

They would communicate regularly but Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the 37-year-old began messaging his ex between February 1 and May 16, sometimes in the early hours, with abusive and offensive remarks.

He admitted threatening and abusive conduct.

Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood said the couple had been together for about 12 years, and for some of that time they were married.

“In February, Mrs Macdonald went to the police for advice but made no complaint,” she said. “But after receiving more emails and messages getting more angry, on one occasion nine emails in four hours, she contacted the police again on May 1.

“Because of the intensity, she again asked the police to speak to him.

“Officers advised him to restrict his emails to business matters but after they left him, he continued to send her emails about the relationship breakdown and other family matters.

“On May 14, she contacted the police once more and again on May 16, having forwarded copies and screenshots of his communications.”

Defence solicitor Laura-Jane McFarlane told the court: “They are still in business together and he has just returned to work after being furloughed during the Covid-19 outbreak.

“He has been struggling with the break-up and acted out of frustration.”

Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald granted bail and deferred sentence for his good behaviour until August 20, adding: “These are unpleasant matters and I don’t expect you to behave in this way towards your ex-partner again.”

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