INVERNESS CHURCH MISSIONARY CONVICTED OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND BANNED FROM CONTACT
A church missionary who was expecting to reunite with his vulnerable wife against whom he conducted a campaign of domestic assault and abuse was distraught when the news was broken to him in court that she did not want him back.Sheriff David Harvie wanted to know how the relationship was progressing before deciding upon a non-harassment order (NHO).
He had been informed at an earlier hearing that Donald John Morrison, formerly of Old Edinburgh Road in Inverness, and his wife Haidi intended to reunite.
However the 60-year-old was informed that she had changed her mind at the last minute and wanted the contact prohibition imposed.
His lawyer Natalie Paterson told Inverness Sheriff Court that he was "very upset" as the progress report was positive, although a programme for domestic abusers had not begun for him.
The court heard that the couple were in the process of buying a house where he expected them to live together with their children until the last-minute bombshell for the churchman.
In view of Mrs Morrison's desire for the NHO, Sheriff Harvie had no option but to ban Morrison from contacting his wife for two years.
He was also banned from entering the street where she plans to stay.
However he wanted a further review on Morrison's compliance with his orders on April 3.
The sheriff had previously called the case "very disturbing" and that he had "deep concerns" about Morrison and his wife getting back together.
Sheriff Harvie had convicted him earlier this summer of abusing and assaulting his wife between November 2022 and November 2023.
He was also found guilty by the sheriff of attempting to pervert the course of justice by writing templates of emails for her trying to get the case against him dropped and also a breach of a special bail condition not to contact her.
Morrison was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and take part in a two-year programme to rehabilitate male domestic abusers.
He was told by Sheriff Harvie: "I want to keep an eye on you because I have concerns especially in the next few weeks.
You will have to have a significant change of mindset." "It is clear there are significant issues facing the family because of you.
This was a very disturbing case involving a complainer whose vulnerabilities were manifest for all to see.
In the report there is a clear theme that you believed a lot of this was her fault and that is of deep concern.
You seem to have little understanding of your behaviour and you made numerous attempts at deception towards your wife, the procurator fiscal and the court." The court also commented on Mrs Morrison's emotional state, noting she is bipolar and often broke down giving evidence.
It emphasized that her evidence showed she was reliving traumatic events and that her injuries were serious, involving use of a weapon.
Sheriff stated: "Your actions were entirely disproportionate and unnecessary, sometimes all she was looking for was a hug during traumatic events.
I find your behaviour manipulative and controlling to secure your own wishes.
You used her health as a shield." The case illustrated a pattern of physical abuse, including being struck with a shinty stick, cuts, and repeated blows, with Morrison claiming he was acting in self-defense due to his wife's sometimes physical reactions.
Mrs Morrison blamed the church for the marriage problems, citing her husband's extensive travel and her feelings of burnout.
The court history revealed Morrison's resignation from his church role amid these issues.
