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Black Isle couple clashed after Christmas night out, Inverness court is told


By Ali Morrison

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Inverness Sheriff Court.
Inverness Sheriff Court.

A bridge night created troubled waters between a music teacher and her third husband when she accused him of having an affair.

The row between handyman/joiner Allan Downie and now estranged spouse Irene Fraser, of Balblair, culminated in him grabbing her by the throat at the home they shared on December 21, 2015.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard the matter did not come to the police's attention until five years later, amidst an acrimonious divorce which has still to be settled.

Downie (53), who is chairman of the Ness Bridge Club, had denied assaulting Ms Fraser and behaving in a threatening manner towards her.

However, after hearing from her and her 23-year-old daughter, Anne-Marie, Sheriff Sara Matheson found him guilty on both charges and fined him £640.

An 18-month non-harassment order preventing him having contact with his wife was also imposed.

The court heard Ms Fraser, who said she preferred not to be known as Mrs Downie, had picked up Downie and a female friend and bridge partner from the Raigmore Hotel after a Christmas night out.

She said: "They were very intoxicated and carrying on like teenagers, They were all over each other. It was obvious there was a connection between them."

Ms Fraser alleged the woman had asked her: "How long do you think you are going to be married for?"

The woman was dropped off at her home and it was claimed that Downie escorted her to her house, but it was 10 or 15 minutes before he returned.

He denied the timescale and said the pair were "good friends, nothing more than that. We were laughing and joking because it was a good night. My wife is very insecure."

But Ms Fraser said there was a discussion about why he was in the house for so long and why she was not at the social evening.

"I dropped the subject but when we got home and went into the porch, I raised it again," she said. "He pushed me against the wall and grabbed me by the throat. I was very scared and shocked."

Her daughter gave a similar account but Downie claimed he had merely used an arm to create space between him and his wife as she would not let him past her to go to bed.


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