A court took pity on a policeman who admitted being abusive towards the mother of his children, sparing him punishment as he faces being dismissed from his job.
Police Constable Craig Wallace, 35, lost his temper when he overheard his ex-partner chatting over the phone with her new boyfriend on February 1 this year.
Pc Wallace and the woman had already ended their 16-year relationship in November, but the split couple made the “not very clever” decision to stay living together in the same house.
Wallace, who was said to be “devastated” by the break-up, barged into the ex’s bedroom, turning nasty because he was “sick of hearing her laughing and joking”.
At Peterhead Sheriff Court, he admitted acting aggressively towards his victim as he tried to snatch away her mobile phone.
Cop was ‘f****** sick of hearing’ victim ‘laughing and joking in the bedroom’
The disgraced officer has been suspended from all police duties since February 24.
Now, he faces potentially career-ending disciplinary proceedings after 13 years of “exemplary” public service, the court was told.
During the hearing on Thursday, Fiscal depute Claire Stewart detailed the series of events that had landed Wallace in the dock.
She said around 11.20pm on February 1, his ex was under a blanket in bed playing a game and chatting to her new partner on her mobile phone.
“At this time, the accused has opened the bedroom door, entered the room, whispered angrily that he was ‘f****** sick of hearing her laughing and joking in the bedroom’,” the prosecutor said.
“He’s then briefly tried to grab her phone. He’s then pulled the blanket off of her, stating he’s ‘sick of it’.”
Wallace’s defence solicitor, Paul Barnett, admitted his client had been “overstepping the line” with his behaviour.
He said Wallace and the woman remained living together after they separated for financial reasons and to minimise the impact on their children.
Speaking about his client’s act of aggression, Mr Barnett told the court: “This is an extremely anxious matter for Mr Wallace, who is a serving police officer with 13 years exemplary service with Police Scotland.
“Two days later, his world truly fell apart when he was arrested.”
‘All of this has been catastrophic for Mr Wallace … His life was turned upside down’
Mr Barnett appealed for the sheriff to give his client an absolute discharge, which could help to keep the constable in employment.
The lawyer also claimed there would be financial “consequences” for both his children and ex-partner if Wallace is sacked.
Providing the sheriff with a written character reference from Wallace’s boss, a sergeant, Mr Barnett said he was not seeking to “trivialise” domestic offending.
“All of this has really been quite catastrophic for Mr Wallace.
“His life was turned upside down following his arrest. Clearly, he feared for his career. There is a very real risk that Mr Wallace will lose his job,” Mr Barnett added.
“I am advised that if an absolute discharge were to be imposed by the court, then there is some chance of Mr Wallace retaining his employment.
“It is highly unlikely we will ever see Mr Wallace in a criminal court again as an accused person.”
‘Decision to stay together was not very clever’
Sheriff Robert McDonald told Wallace: “I’ve listened very carefully to what Mr Barnett has said, I’ve also read the reference from your sergeant, and I would echo what Mr Barnett said, I would not in any way seek to trivialise an offence involving domestic abuse.
“However, there does seem to me to be very particular circumstances here, and I think, in retrospect, I’m quite sure that both you and your wife recognise that the decision to stay together with the circumstances as they were at the time really was not very clever.
“You have, according to the reference I’ve seen, an exemplary service and the consequences of a conviction here, I think, would far outweigh the nature of the offence.”
Sheriff McDonald gave Wallace, who is now living with his parents, an absolute discharge.
‘Wallace’s actions go against the values of Police Scotland’
Although Wallace walked free from court without any punishment, his case will now receive attention from Police Scotland’s conduct bosses.
Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison, Head of the Professional Standards Department, told The Press and Journal: “PC Wallace’s actions go against the values of Police Scotland.
“All officers are bound by our standards of professional behaviour, which apply on and off duty.
“Any instance where an officer fails to uphold our standards will be investigated and appropriate action taken.
“The matter will now be referred for consideration under the Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2014.”