Court /

Sandwick man ordered not to contact ex-wife after punching her new partner

30 September 2026 13:54

A SANDWICK man who repeatedly contacted his ex-wife and punched her new partner in the head has been placed under supervision for 12 months.

Michael Welsh, 68, also attended the Sandwick school on 5 June this year and told staff he intended to take two of their children to live in Denmark.

Welsh had previously admitted the charges at Lerwick Sheriff Court, and returned for sentencing on Wednesday.

The court heard how the relationship between the two had broken down some years previously, but after Welsh learned she had a new partner he engaged in a course of abusive behaviour.

Between 25 May and 5 June he repeatedly attended her address and sent her “rambling” social media messages having been told not to contact her.

He also entered her home without invite on 31 May and assaulted her new partner.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Welsh had sent “dozens” of messages to the woman, despite “repeatedly” being asked not to contact her.

He had persistently asked for her new partner to meet him, and then when dropping off one of their children at her address he asked the man to go outside.

When the man refused, Welsh twice punched him in the head.

Sandwick school staff were aware of the issues, but on 5 June 2026 Welsh attended at the school and said he was considering taking two of the children to live in Denmark.

They raised this with their mother, who was “considerably distressed”. Welsh was arrested the next day.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Welsh had not been sleeping well at the time and had been feeling “under a great deal of strain”.

He said the meeting with Sandwick staff was Welsh “simply making enquiries” about whether it would be possible to move them to Denmark.

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Sheriff Jennifer Gear imposed a community payback order on Welsh, placing him under supervision for 12 months.

He will also have to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work during that time.

Sheriff Gear also imposed a non-harassment order, meaning Welsh cannot approach or contact his former partner for the next 18 months.

If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.