ANDY GALBRAITH'S SHOCKING ABUSE IN PERTH: A COURTROOM REVELATION

A businessman from Perth has been subjected to a five-year ban on any form of contact with his wife following the disturbing discovery of covert recordings that captured his abusive behavior over an extended period. The recordings, which were handed over to police, revealed a pattern of aggressive and threatening conduct by Andy Galbraith, a 50-year-old director of a forestry contracting company based near Auchterarder.

Galbraith’s actions came to light during a court hearing at Perth Sheriff Court, where it was disclosed that he had been recorded ranting at his partner, making derogatory remarks, and issuing violent threats. These recordings spanned more than a year, illustrating a sustained campaign of verbal abuse that left his wife terrified and trapped within their remote six-bedroom residence.

The court heard that the couple had been married for approximately five and a half years, but their relationship had begun to deteriorate around March 2023. The situation escalated in August of the same year, when the woman was heavily pregnant. On that occasion, she was subjected to a barrage of insults from her husband, who called her a “f***ing useless c***” and a “spastic,” even going so far as to suggest she would “probably miscarry.” Remarkably, she gave birth just days after this distressing incident.

Following this episode, the woman took the precaution of secretly recording her husband's behavior, fearing for her safety. Prosecutors explained that she was often frightened of Galbraith and would attempt to walk away from him to de-escalate the situation. However, he would frequently follow her, corner her in various parts of their countryside home, and tower over her while he shouted and swore. Her confinement was further enforced as he blocked her in rooms and confined spaces, screaming insults directly into her face.

One particularly alarming threat was when Galbraith threatened to rip her wedding ring from her finger after she expressed a desire to separate. Over time, she recorded and transcribed a total of 86 recordings documenting her husband's abusive behavior. These recordings ultimately prompted her to seek help from authorities on September 12, 2024. During her police interview, she allowed officers to listen to the audio evidence and completed a domestic abuse questionnaire, which indicated she was at “high risk.” She was subsequently offered additional support from Perthshire Women’s Aid.

Later that day, Galbraith was arrested by police. The court proceedings concluded with a ruling that he must refrain from any contact with his wife for five years and was also ordered to undertake unpaid work as part of his sentence. The sheriff described his behavior as a “prolonged period of verbal abuse and threats,” emphasizing the severity and persistence of his misconduct.