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
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.
For victims of general crime:
Victim Support Shetland
Phone: 01595 744524 or 0800 1601985
Web: https://victimsupport.scot/locations/victim-support-shetland/
Email: VictimSupportHighlandsIslands@victimsupportsco.org.uk
For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:
Space2face
Phone: 07564 832467
Web: https://www.space2face.org
Email: info@space2face.org
For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:
Shetland Women’s Aid
Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org
The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)
Phone: 01595 747174 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org
For anyone affected by substance use:
Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network
Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk
Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership
Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot
Substance Use Recovery Service
Phone: 01595 743006
