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Highland businessman flooded wife with threatening and abusive messages after marriage break-up


By Ali Morrison

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A HIGHLAND court has heard how a businessman harassed his wife with repeated phone and email messages.

Lee Macdonald (38) was struggling with the break-up of his marriage when he began sending the messages in February, continuing his conduct until May 16.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the couple had been together for 12 years, had been married for five years and were in business together in a fuel supply firm.

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

They would communicate regularly but Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Macdonald began messaging his ex, sometimes in the early hours, with abusive and offensive remarks.

He admitted threatening and abusive conduct.

Sentence had been deferred until for background reports.

At an earlier hearing fiscal depute Martina Eastwood said: “In February, Mrs Macdonald went to the police for advice but made no complaint.

“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 Patrick O'Dea said it was fair to say his client struggled with the ending of the relationship.

Macdonald was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

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