A Moray man found guilty of throttling his wife has been spared jail.
Simon Johnston was found guilty of assaulting Arlene Johnston during a trial at Elgin Sheriff Court last month.
The 47-year-old, of Bisset Beat in Elgin, returned to the dock yesterday to be sentenced for the assault charge and three others.
Johnston was convicted of breaching the peace by shouting and swearing at Mrs Johnston and calling her derogatory names sometime between July 1 and August 31, 2009.
He was found guilty of seizing her by the neck and applying pressure, causing her to struggle for breath and pressing his knee against her back on a date between September 1 and November 30, 2013.
He was also convicted of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing in Mrs Johnston’s face in that same time period.
And he admitted breaching his bail conditions by calling Mrs Johnston on June 5 “to say that he loved her”.
Yesterday, he was ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work in the next nine months, and to pay Mrs Johnston £350 in compensation.
The court also imposed a non-harassment order to prevent him from approaching or contacting his estranged wife in the next two years.
Solicitor Brent Lockie argued that Johnston should be spared a prison sentence, partly because of the drastic affect the convictions have already had on him.
Mr Lockie said: “The more serious offences date from some time ago.
“My client lost a job over this, so he has been the author of his own misfortune.
“His conduct resulted in serious consequences for him.”
Sheriff Chris Dickson told Johnston: “These incidents are of some vintage, and you have a minor record.”
