Whalsay man convicted of ‘degrading’ abuse
Content warning: This story contains details of domestic abuse. If you have been affected by this issue, help is available.
A MAN from Whalsay has been convicted of throttling and spitting on a woman during a course of abusive behaviour.
Peter Irvine, 47, had denied abusing his victim between October 2023 and July 2024 during a trial at Edinburgh High Court.
However he was convicted of engaging in an abusive course of conduct, which also saw him shout, swear and make abusive remarks towards the woman.
Irvine’s victim said that his behaviour towards her left her feeling “degraded, ashamed, disgusted with myself”.
The offending took place at locations in Shetland and elsewhere.
Irvine was acquitted by the jury of serious sexual allegations which had been levelled against him.
Judge John Morris KC described Irvine’s case as “very distressing”.
The first offender had pinned his victim down and squeezed her neck, restricting her breathing.
During the trial the woman said that there were occasions when he put his hands around her neck and would choke her.
Advocate depute Chris Miller asked if her breathing was affected and she replied: “Yes, my head would go dizzy.”
The woman said: “There were times when he would slap me, spit on me.”
The trial judge agreed to continue Irvine’s bail while a background report is prepared on him ahead of sentencing.
He added: “That might not be the position at the end of the day.”
By Dave Finlay of Edinburgh Courts Press Services
