Latest news with #ChristopherLeggat
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Guilty, whisky boss who terrorised his wife in terrifying two year campaign of abuse
The shamed ex-director of a Scots whisky firm has been convicted of terrorising his wife for more than two years. Christopher Leggat verbally and violently abused Cara Leggat, 42, between September 2022 and November 2024. He was branded 'self-serving' by a judge who told the 44-year-old he simply did not believe his version of events. Leggat was the former managing director of her family's company Douglas Laing & Co based in the Glasgow 's Hillington. But he made current managing director Cara's life hell as their 12-year marriage broke down. He repeatedly slapped his estranged partner and later pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which caused her an injury. He also told his wife he wished she was dead because he was unhappy about a water bottle he received as a birthday present. The bully also attempted to stop her from seeing her father - company chairman Fred Laing, and mother Catherine Laing, both 74. She finally reported matters to the police having initially been scared that a conviction would affect Leggat's job prospects. But he was found guilty of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner. Sheriff Allan McKay said: 'I was presented with a stark difference in recall between you and your wife. 'Simply put, I had a decision to make about who I believed and that was straight forward for me. 'I will simply say that I found Miss Laing to be a compelling witness and believed what she told me. 'I don't accept your version of events - much of what you said was self serving and I am not prepared to give it any weight.' The Glasgow Sheriff Court trial heard that Leggat and Cara were married in 2013 and worked together at the firm. She recalled that in October 2022 she had made a re-heated sausage casserole dinner for the pair. Leggat told her to serve a 'better looking meal' which he said was suitable for a child and called her names. The next incident took place in January 2023 as a result of Leggat's birthday plans. She said: 'He was most aggrieved and disappointed at a lack of effort to mark his birthday in terms of a meal out. 'He also didn't rate his presents which included a sports water bottle that I bought him.' The water bottle - said to have been made famous on TikTok - was deemed 'childish and ridiculous' by Leggat. Leggat is then told Cara: 'I hope you die in your sleep.' The witness added that Leggat apologised and claimed it was 'a bit of banter'. The pair were given hospitality tickets to Hampden Park in February 2023 for an Old Firm League Cup Final clash. Cara stated that when they walked home after the match and she was pushed into a bush by Leggat. Leggat 'discouraged' Cara from seeing her parents and was under a curfew which made her 'twitch' when it was close. He was lastly violent towards her in November 2024 at the family home in the city's Pollokshields. Leggat slapped her on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which resulted in a thigh injury. Cara told the court that she called her mother and father after the incident and Fred attended their home. The court heard that he confronted Leggat and 'grabbed him by the scruff of the neck' and told his daughter to contact the police. Leggat was arrested later that night. Sentence was deferred pending background reports until August and he was granted bail meantime.
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Ex-director of whisky firm found guilty of domestic abuse
Christopher Leggat, 44, verbally and violently abused the woman between September 2022 and November 2024. Leggat was the former managing director of her family's company Douglas Laing & Co based in the Glasgow's Hillington. Leggat made her life hell as their now 12-year marriage broke down. He repeatedly slapped his estranged partner and later pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which caused her an injury. Leggat wished his wife dead notably after he was unhappy about a water bottle he received as a birthday present. He also attempted to stop the woman from seeing her dad. READ MORE: Former Catholic priest admits repeated abuse of boy more than 40 years ago READ MORE: Serious organised crime unit cop sentenced for sexually assaulting colleagues on duty The brave finally reported matters to the police having initially been scared that a conviction would affect Leggat's job prospects. Unemployed Leggat now faces a custodial sentence after he was found guilty of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner. Sheriff Allan McKay said: "I was presented with a stark difference in recall between you and your wife. "Simply put, I had a decision to make about who I believed and that was straight forward for me. "I will simply say that I found (the woman) to be a compelling witness and believed what she told me. "I don't accept your version of events - much of what you said was self serving and I am not prepared to give it any weight." The Glasgow Sheriff Court trial heard that Leggat and the woman were married in 2013 and worked together at the firm. Glasgow Sheriff Court (Image: Newsquest) She stated to the court that between September and November 2022 was "the worst time of my life" and she took a panic attack. She recalled that in October 2022 she had made a re-heated sausage casserole dinner for the pair. Leggat told her to serve a "better looking meal" which he said was suitable for a child and called her names. The next incident took place in January 2023 as a result of Leggat's birthday plans. She said: "He was most aggrieved and disappointed at a lack of effort to mark his birthday in terms of a meal out. "He also didn't rate his presents which included a sports water bottle that I bought him." The water bottle - said to have been made famous on TikTok - was deemed "childish and ridiculous" by Leggat. Leggat is then told the woman: "I hope you die in your sleep." The witness added that Leggat apologised to her for the remark and claimed it was "a bit of banter." The pair were given hospitality tickets to Hampden Park in February 2023 for an Old Firm League Cup Final clash. She stated that when they walked home after the match and she was pushed into a bush by Leggat. She said: "I ended up in a bush or my back against a bush as a result of the force as a result of the slap to my face." When asked how she felt about the incident, she replied that it was "upsetting." Leggat "discouraged" the woman to see her parents which also included a curfew which made her "twitch" when it was close. Prosecutor Siobhan Currie said in her closing submissions: "Ultimately, there was a pattern of behaviour to isolate her." Leggat was lastly violent towards her in November 2024 at the family home in the city's Pollokshields. Leggat slapped her on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which resulted in a thigh injury. She told the court that she called her mother and father after the incident and her father attended their home. The court heard that he confronted Leggat and "grabbed him by the scruff of the neck." He then got his daughter to contact the police which led to Leggat's arrest later that night. Miss Currie asked Cara why she did not contact the police on an earlier occasion. She replied: "I knew he wanted to stay in the Scottish whisky industry. "From my knowledge he would find it hard to get into the USA and Singapore which are key places in the industry. "I didn't want the man not to get an international job." Leggat, now of Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, told the court in his evidence that he left the company in 2023 with the woman taking over his role. He stated that he did not complain about his birthday plans and refuted allegations that he told her that he wanted her to die. Leggat also denied slapping the woman after the Old Firm game but accepted that he may have caught her on the chin or chest while expressing himself in conversation. He said: "She did not fall into a bush - we were walking beside a bush." Leggat claimed that the woman "prodded" him 10 times before her father arrived at their home in November 2024. He stated that he did not grab his wife and push her against the kitchen cabinet. Sentence was deferred pending background reports until August and Leggat was granted bail meantime.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Whisky boss wished his wife dead when he didn't like the birthday present she gave him, court hears
A former managing director of a Scottish whisky company wished his wife dead because he did not like his birthday present, a court has heard. Christopher Leggat allegedly told his wife Cara 'I hope you die in your sleep' because of the 'childish and ridiculous' TikTok water bottle she had gifted him. Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how he lost his temper because he was disappointed at a perceived lack of effort to mark his birthday in January 2023. He later apologised for the remark and claimed it was 'a bit of banter', his wife told the court. The incident was one of several outlined at the court, where Leggatt, 44, is accused of verbal and physical abuse towards his 42-year-old former wife. He faces a string of allegations which include slapping her while walking home from an Old Firm game and pushing her into a kitchen cabinet at their home in the Pollokshields area of the city. He is also claimed to have kept tabs on her location by using an electronic device and placing her under a curfew. Leggat is the ex-managing director of his wife's family company Douglas Laing & Co, based in Hillington, Glasgow. Mrs Leggat, who has taken over the role, told the court that he tried to stop her from seeing family. The couple were married in 2013 and worked together at the firm where Mrs Leggat's father Fred Laing is chairman. Leggat pleaded not guilty to engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner between September 2022 and November 2024. The pair were given hospitality tickets to Hampden Park in February 2023 for an Old Firm League Cup Final clash. Cara stated that when they walked home after the match and she was pushed into a bush by Leggat. She told the court that a notification appeared on her phone in March 2024 regarding an Apple AirTag tracking device. The witness stated that Leggat told her at the time that he had 'no knowledge of it'. She also accused Leggat of 'discouraging' her from seeing her parents which also included a curfew which made her 'twitch' when it was close. Cara claimed that the last occasion Leggat became violent towards her was in November 2024 at the family home. She said he slapped her on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which resulted in a thigh injury. Cara told the court that she called her father and the police were called. Prosecutor Siobhan Currie asked Cara why she did not contact the police on an earlier occasion. She replied: 'I knew he wanted to stay in the Scottish whisky industry. 'From my knowledge he would find it hard to get into the USA and Singapore which are key places in the industry. 'I didn't want the man not to get an international job.' Leggat, now of Bearsden, Dunbartonshire, told the court in his evidence that he left the company in 2023 with Cara taking over his role. He stated that he did not complain about his birthday plans and refuted allegations that he told Cara that he wanted her to die. He also denied slapping her after the Old Firm game but accepted that he may have caught her on the chin or chest while expressing himself in conversation. He said: 'She did not fall into a bush - we were walking beside a bush.' Leggat further stated that Cara was aware of AirTags as they had discussed the devices with her. He claimed that Cara 'prodded' him ten times before her father arrived at their home in November 2024. He stated that he did not grab his wife and push her against the kitchen cabinet.
Glasgow Times
24-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Man accused of wishing death on and pushing his wife in Glasgow
Christopher Leggat, 44, is on trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court, accused of verbal and physical abuse towards the woman. Leggat was the ex-managing director of his partner's family company in the city's Hillington. Leggat faces a string of allegations, which include slapping her while walking home from an Old Firm game. He is further stated to have hit the woman on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet in the city's Pollokshields. Leggat is also claimed to have kept tabs on her location by using an electronic device. The current managing director told the court that Leggat called her names and tried to stop her from seeing her family. Leggat pleaded not guilty to engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner. The charge spans between September 2022 and November 2024. The court heard that Leggat and the woman were married in 2013 and worked together at the firm, where her dad is chairman. She recalled that in October 2022, she had made sausage casserole for the pair. The woman claimed that Leggat told her to serve a "better-looking meal" and called her names. She then stated that the next incident took place in January 2023 as a result of Leggat's birthday plans. She said: "He was most aggrieved and disappointed at a lack of effort to mark his birthday in terms of a meal out. "He also didn't rate his presents, which included a sports water bottle that I bought him." The water bottle - said to have been made famous on TikTok - was allegedly deemed "childish and ridiculous" by Leggat. Leggat is then alleged to have told his wife: "I hope you die in your sleep." The witness added that Leggat apologised to her for the remark and claimed it was "a bit of banter." The pair were given hospitality tickets to Hampden Park in February 2023 for an Old Firm League Cup Final clash. The woman stated that when they walked home after the match, she was pushed into a bush by Leggat. Man accused of wishing death on and pushing his wife in Glasgow (Image: Mike Gibbons) READ NEXT: Woman, 63, arrested after protesters gather at Glasgow venue She said: "I ended up in a bush or my back against a bush as a result of the force as a result of the slap to my face." When asked how she felt about the incident, she replied that it was "upsetting." The wife told the court that a notification appeared on her phone in March 2024 regarding an Apple AirTag tracking device. The witness stated that Leggat told her at the time that he had "no knowledge of it." However, Leggat's position to the court is that it was put in the family car. The woman also accused Leggat of "discouraging" her from seeing her parents, which also included a curfew which made her "twitch" when it was close. She also claimed that the last occasion Leggat became violent towards her was in November 2024 at the family home. She stated that Leggat slapped her on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet, which resulted in a thigh injury. The woman told the court that she called her father, who attended their home and the police were called. Prosecutor Siobhan Currie asked her why she did not contact the police on an earlier occasion. She replied: "I knew he wanted to stay in the Scottish whisky industry. "From my knowledge, he would find it hard to get into the USA and Singapore, which are key places in the industry. "I didn't want the man not to get an international job." Leggat, now of Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, told the court in his evidence that he left the company in 2023 with the woman taking over his role. He stated that he did not complain about his birthday plans and refuted allegations that he told her that he wanted her to die. Leggat also denied slapping his wife after the Old Firm game but accepted that he may have caught her on the chin or chest while expressing himself in conversation. He said: "She did not fall into a bush - we were walking beside a bush." Leggat further stated that she was aware of AirTags as they had discussed the devices with her. Leggat claimed that the woman "prodded" him 10 times before her father arrived at their home in November 2024. He stated that he did not grab his wife and push her against the kitchen cabinet. The trial continues tomorrow before Sheriff Allan McKay.
STV News
24-06-2025
- STV News
Former whisky firm director accused of verbal and physical domestic abuse
A former director of a Scottish whisky company allegedly wished his wife dead after he did not like his birthday present. Christopher Leggat, 44, is on trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court, accused of verbal and physical abuse towards the woman. Leggat was the ex-managing director of the family-run company Douglas Laing based in the city's Hillington. Leggat faces a string of allegations, which include slapping his estranged wife while walking home from an Old Firm game. He is further accused of hitting her on the forehead and pushing her into a kitchen cabinet at their home. Leggat is also claimed to have kept tabs on her location by using an electronic device. The victim told the court that Leggat called her names and attempted to stop her from seeing her family. Leggat pleaded not guilty to engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner. The charge spans between September 2022 and November 2024. The trial continues before Sheriff Alan McKay. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
