A pensioner believed to be Scotland’s oldest domestic abuser walked free from court Friday despite admitting he choked his 84-year-old wife in their bedroom.
But 90-year-old Charles Morrison was banned from any contact with frail spouse Catherine who told a court she was in favour of a non-harassment order.
The OAP admitted a course of abusive conduct towards his wife over an 11-month period at their home in Condorrat, near Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire.
This included shoving her on to a bed, restraining her there, putting his hand around her neck and choking her causing her breathing to be restricted.
Morrison also admitted acting aggressively towards his wife on other occasions, shouting, swearing, making derogatory remarks and pushing her on to a chair.
The abuse happened between September 2023 and August the following year.
The prosecution had alleged that his behaviour spanned a period of more than five years from April 2019, but Morrison pleaded guilty to an amended charge.
He appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court as a first offender.
The couple had been together for many years but bail conditions have kept them apart since Morrison, now of Abronhill, Cumbernauld, made an initial court appearance in October 2024.
The court heard that his wife has ‘significant health issues’ and would have been unable to attend to give evidence had the case gone to trial before a jury.
A pensioner believed to be Scotland’s oldest domestic abuser walked free from court Friday despite admitting he choked his 84-year-old wife in their bedroom. But 90-year-old Charles Morrison (pictured) was banned from any contact with frail spouse Catherine
The prosecution had alleged that his behaviour spanned a period of more than five years from April 2019, but Morrison pleaded guilty to an amended charge. He appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court (pictured) as a first offender
However, she had made clear to the procurator fiscal her support for a non-harassment order.
Defence lawyer Jim Sloan told the court: ‘This is a very sad case as the couple have been together for so long.’
Sheriff Tony McGlennan put Morrison under social work supervision for a year, telling him: ‘You pled guilty to what is a serious matter.
‘I take account of the fact that at the age of 90 you have never offended before.
‘The terms of the justice social work report are generally positive and there is a recommendation for a community payback order with supervision.
‘I consider that is an appropriate alternative to custody.
‘Be aware, however, that if you breach this order you will return to court and I shall require to consider sentence anew.’
The sheriff said the issue of a non-harassment order was ‘particularly sensitive given the ages of victim and offender’.
He banned Morrison from contacting his wife or entering the street where she lives for a year.
The pensioner must also stay away from Airdrie Road, Condorrat, after she informed the court he would ‘go there to watch her’.
Sheriff McGlennan warned Morrison: ‘Contact includes approaching her in person, writing to her, phoning, texting and sending social media messages.
‘Given what is stated in the report, it is also important to emphasise that you must not send messages to her through any third party.’
