Aberdeenshire gardener with 'anger issues' admits domestic abuse
Robert Brown, 53, who runs a grass-cutting business in Aberdeenshire, admitted causing injury to his partner following an argument earlier this year.
Brown admitted pushing and pulling her to the body, and grabbing her neck -although only with one hand 'accidentally'.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that Brown and his victim had been in a long-term relationship when the offence took place earlier this year at an address in Portlethen.
Fiscal depute Anne MacDonald told the court an argument had broken out between the pair, which turned physical.
Ms MacDonald explained that the couple had been arguing across the length of a desk, and at one point Brown swiped his hand, causing a paper tray to fall to the floor.
She said: 'It ended up striking the complainer on the hand.
'The argument continued, and both parties were shouting.
'The accused wanted to leave, but the complainer got in his way accidentally.
'At this stage he stuck his hand out and it has been agreed that the accused touched the complainer's neck – holding her throat by way of pushing past her.
'But not grabbing her with two hands – it was just to get past her.'
Brown told police: 'There was no punching; she slapped me.'
Brown pleaded guilty to an amended charge wherein charges of him additionally throwing household items at her were dropped.
Brown's defence agent, Stuart Flowerdew said: 'He accepts he has anger issues.
'As a result of that, he has discussed carrying out the Caledonian Programme if appropriate.
'He wants to do something to address this.'
Mr Flowerdew went on to say the situation was 'complicated' as the couple still ran a business together.
Sheriff Ian Duguid said he thought the Caledonian Programme would not be suitable in this case as it would take 24 months to complete.
He said: 'I will make a Community Payback Order instead with 12 months supervision.'
Brown, of Menzies Road, Aberdeen, stood in the dock shaking his head as the sentence was delivered.
Sheriff Duguid said this supervision order was a direct alternative to a fine and did not impose a non-harassment order towards the complainer.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Jakob Walpole who killed own vulnerable grandad after 'drinking all day' is jailed
A grandson has been jailed for killing his own grandad and attacking two other men at a working men's club after drinking all day. Jakob Walpole was cleared of murdering frail John Brown but was convicted of his manslaughter by jurors at Warwick Crown Court last week. The jury heard well-known Jaguar restoration expert Mr Brown, 81, was attacked in his own home. He suffered head injuries and died in hospital six days later. A three-week trial was told security cameras in the victim's bungalow provided important evidence of the defendant's responsibility for the killing. Prosecutor Michael Duck KC told jurors Walpole had been 'drinking throughout the day' and committed two assaults at Bulkington Working Men's Club around an hour after attacking his grandfather on the night of November 23 last year. Today he was jailed for a total of 15 years. Mr Duck said: 'John Brown is Jakob Walpole's grandfather. He was a frail man and he had recently been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia. He was plainly a vulnerable individual and the evidence will demonstrate that this defendant was acutely aware of that.' Mr Brown was well known in the local community, having run a successful car panel and body repair business due to his expertise in respect of vintage cars, the court heard. Walpole had engaged in a 'very significant day of drinking', having bought a small bottle of vodka from a shop in Bulkington at about 9am, before attending a match at Coventry City's home stadium in the afternoon, the court heard. After attacking his relative, he went on to smash a glass over the back of a working men's club customer's head in an incident caught on the 'clearest possible' CCTV footage. Walpole then made 'physical and direct contact' with a bar worker as he was physically removed from the club. The court heard relatives had expressed concern about Walpole's 'deteriorating' behaviour since the Covid pandemic, leading to Mr Brown's daughter installing security cameras at her parents' home in St James Gardens, Bulkington. Jurors were asked to evaluate whether or not Walpole intended really serious harm in considering the murder charge, after watching CCTV images of Mr Brown making a 'haunting' video gesturing towards the camera for help before the attack. Mr Duck said the jury 'may think it was a gesture of desire for assistance'. The prosecutor said at the beginning of the trial: 'The reality is that on the 23rd of November, in drink, Jakob Walpole descended to a tirade of violence.' Commenting after the case, Natalie Kelly, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Jakob Walpole carried out a senseless and brutal attack on his own grandfather who had tried to help him. He showed no concern or remorse following the attack. "Rather than call for help, he callously left his vulnerable and elderly grandfather severely injured and went to a local pub where he assaulted two further elderly victims. Everyone who knew Mr Brown saw how much he did for his grandson, often going out of his way to care and support him – but Walpole simply took advantage of his kindness. 'We were able to prove this case using comprehensive evidence including CCTV footage, mobile phone evidence and messages which clearly demonstrated Walpole's violent intentions and actions. While this conviction ensures Walpole is held accountable for his actions, the family have been left with a deep and lasting pain that no justice can erase.' Detective Inspector Gareth Unett, who led the investigation for Warwickshire Police, said: 'John Brown was a kind, gentle, hardworking man whose loss has left a huge void in the lives of his loved ones and friends. Not only was he loved greatly by all those around him, he was known internationally as one of the best restorers of classic Jaguars. 'The legacy he leaves is not only in the love and generosity he showed to those around him, but also in the countless classic cars that will survive for generations more thanks to his work. Walpole's attack on his grandfather, who had shown him nothing but kindness and generosity, was an act of cowardice and brutality that, in decades of policing, I struggle to find a comparison for. 'His later attack in the working men's club only serves as further confirmation that Walpole is a danger to decent, peaceful, law-abiding people. Our thoughts remain with Mr Brown's family, in what is a terribly sad case. They have shown dignity and respect in the most challenging of circumstances.'
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Northampton canal murder inquiry team urgently seeking two men
Murder inquiry detectives investigating the death of a man found fatally injured by a canal have urged two potential witnesses to come were called to a footpath behind Auctioneers Court, Northampton, at 06:30 BST on Friday, where Robert Brown, 57, was found on a said how he died has not been established, but a post-mortem examination on Saturday found he had an arm want to speak to two males seen on the river bank in the area of Beckets Bridge and Beckets Park at about 04:00 on the morning Mr Brown was found. Det Ch Insp Jen Lovatt, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: "Two males – we can't be sure of their ages at this stage – were walking along the river bank in the area near to where Robert was found."If you were in the area of Beckets Bridge and Beckets Park in the early hours of Friday, we would really like to speak with you. "You may not realise it, but it's possible you saw or heard something that would help us with the investigation."Part of a footpath remains closed and the River Nene is closed to river traffic between London Road bridge and Nunn Mills Road bridge. Northamptonshire Police has also appealed to residents who may have camera footage taken between 19:30 on 31 July and 07:00 on 1 August to contact Ch Insp Lovatt added: "Anyone else who was in the area of Auctioneers Court or the river bank in that area overnight on Thursday 31 July to Friday 1 August, who we haven't yet spoken to, is also asked to get in touch."Any information, no matter how small, can help us piece together exactly what happened to Robert and how he came to be fatally injured." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Men seen on riverbank on night victim found ‘murdered' on canal bench urged to come forward as hunt for killer ramps up
DETECTIVES investigating the death of a man f ound on a canal bench are urging two men to come forward. Robert Brown, 57, was last seen visiting a supermarket in Northampton town centre on July 31 before he was found dead near the River Nene. 5 5 5 Northamptonshire Police launched a murder investigation after being called to the scene shortly after 6.30am on the morning of August 1. They were called to a canal footpath behind Auctioneers Court after reports that a man had been found on a bench fatally injured. The circumstances that led to Brown's death remain unknown but a post-mortem examination took place on Saturday at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester which found Brown sustained a wound to his arm. Now, police have asked two men who may be witnesses to what happened to come forward. The force said in an appeal: "Detectives investigating the death of a man found near the River Nene in Northampton town centre are urging two males who may be potential witnesses to come forward. "They were in the Beckets Bridge and Park area about 4am on Friday, August 1." Detective Chief Inspector Jen Lovatt from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit said: 'From our inquiries, we have established that at around 4am on Friday morning, two males – we can't be sure of their ages at this stage – were walking along the riverbank in the area near to where Robert was found. 'If you were in the area of Beckets Bridge and Beckets Park in the early hours of Friday, we would really like to speak with you. "You may not realise it, but it's possible you saw or heard something that would help us with the investigation. 'If you believe this may have been you or you know who it was, I urge you to contact police as soon as possible by calling 101 or via our online portal at No arrests have yet been made and Brown's family are being supported by specialist officers. The River Nene remains closed to pedestrians and river traffic between London Road bridge and Nunn Mills Road bridge. They said the river will likely remain closed until Tuesday evening while searches take place. There is an increased police presence in the area as part of an effort to reassure those living in the neighbourhood. Northamptonshire Police have also appealed to those living in nearby apartments overlooking the River Nene. Those with any information or video footage have been urged to get in contact with the police. Detective Chief Inspector Jen Lovatt from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit said: 'This is an exceptionally sad incident and our thoughts and sincere condolences remain with Robert's family, who continue to be supported by specially trained officers. 'His death has understandably also had a big impact on the neighbourhood and wider community, and we would like to thank them for their support while officers continue to carry out searches at the scene, as well as those who have helped with our investigation. 'A dedicated team of officers is working around the clock to establish exactly what happened to Robert. "A forensic post mortem examination carried out yesterday, Saturday, August 2, found that Robert sustained a wound to his arm. "However, the exact cause of death is unascertained at this stage." 5 5
