BANFF MAN GUILTY OF SEVEN-YEAR COERCIVE CONTROL AND DOMESTIC ABUSE

A man from Banff has been convicted of domestic abuse after a prolonged period of coercive control over his ex-partner, spanning seven years. Stuart Nedley, aged 33, faced charges of coercive control and threatening behavior, including hiding house keys to effectively imprison his partner indoors. He denied these charges, but the court found him guilty. His former partner, who chose to remain unnamed, testified that Nedley would become aggressive whenever she engaged in routine household activities, and would comment on her clothes, making her feel pressured to change her style to avoid conflict. The woman described Nedley's escalating alcohol and drug problems, including a cocaine addiction prior to 2015 and subsequent alcohol dependency, which led to hospitalizations. After ending their relationship in January 2021, she received threatening messages from Nedley, including phrases like 'go and die' and 'go and throw yourself under a bus,' prompting her to involve the police. Witnesses corroborated her account, observing controlling and emotional abuse, although no physical violence was reported. Nedley dismissed the allegations as 'nonsense' under cross-examination. Judge Sheriff Robert McDonald declared the witnesses credible and stated that Nedley's manner was unclear and lacked credibility, particularly condemning his threatening messages. Nedley was found guilty of the first charge and the second as amended, with sentencing postponed for further reports. He has been ordered to return to court on March 6.