A Moray father who manhandled his ex-partner after she refused his advances narrowly avoided jail yesterday.
Andrew Farquhar, 37, of 21 St Ronans Road, Forres, admitted dragging Ashley McNeil’s body from her flat then resisting arrest at 11 Murdochs Wynd, Elgin, on April 10.
Fiscal depute Ruairidh McAlistair told Elgin Sheriff Court: “The complainer was previously in a relationship with the accused.
“Although no longer in a relationship the two remain friends.
“They both consumed alcohol together and spoke about the state of their current relationship. He tried to persuade her to get back together with him. She said she didn’t want to. He was upset.”
Mr McAlistair said that at around 10pm that night, witnesses described hearing shouts of “help” and “Andy, stop it” from Ms McNeil.
He added: “They looked through the window and saw the complainer laying on her back in a communal area. The accused dragged her along the ground and had a hold of her upper body.”
The court heard Farquhar let go of Ms McNeil after neighbours intervened and shouted at him to stop.
Police arrived and handcuffed Farquhar and he became aggressive, thrashing around and knocking an officer over.
Defence solicitor Bert Lockie said: “He accepts now that the relationship is over. He is a man who ordinarily works hard and looks after his children.
“The difficulty, of course, is he has a long record, and he does have too much to drink and get into trouble.”
Sheriff James Hendry said: “I will perhaps save the tax-payer the cost of locking him up.
“Mr Farquhar, your record is atrocious. This is a serious matter.
“I’m sure you don’t want to miss the summer. It is meant to be a nice one for once, but, if you breach the order, the sheriff will really have no choice but to lock you up.”
