THURSO MAN SENTENCED FOR YEAR-LONG VERBAL DOMESTIC ABUSE, GIVEN CHANCE TO REFORM
A man from Thurso, Graham Young, aged 44, has been involved in verbally abusing his partner, Carly Sutherland, over nearly a year.He admitted at Wick Sheriff Court to arguing with her at their home in Thurso between January 1 and December 27 of the previous year.
Over this period, their interactions escalated, with the manner of his speech towards Ms Sutherland becoming increasingly concerning.
The behavior was deemed to have crossed the line into domestic abuse, and the incident was reported to the police, leading to the end of their 16-year relationship.Young has been given an opportunity to participate in the Caledonian Programme, which offers advice to offenders on domestic issues, as part of his sentence.
Sheriff Andrew Berry emphasized the importance of understanding one's behavior and conducted a report on Young's suitability for the program, expressing concern that Young was unaware that his conduct amounted to domestic abuse.
Sheriff Berry urged Young to cooperate fully, stating, "You may find out things about yourself that you perhaps didn't realise." Meanwhile, as part of his sentence, Young will be supervised for two years, carry out 75 hours of unpaid community work, and be subject to a non-harassment order that bans him from contacting Ms Sutherland except for arranged family access.
