Lawyer sentenced to unpaid work over campaign of abusive behaviour

An Aberdeen solicitor has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work after subjecting a woman to an 18-month campaign of abusive behaviour.

Alexander Hutcheon, 71, admitted assaulting, stalking and harassing the victim as well as demanding sex with her between June 2022 to January 2024.

The pair had known each other for a number of years having initially met through his legal work.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Hutcheon was given a community payback order and put under supervision for three years.

Prosecutor Michelle Brannagan previously told how Hutcheon would often shout and swear at the victim, as well as call her names while accusing her of cheating.

He would spend money on hotel stays, holidays, and designer clothes for the woman.

Brannagan said he would tell her that he wanted to "improve her wardrobe", but would then end up destroying the clothing.

Hutcheon would also bombard the woman with messages. She was left at times upset and scared.

Lord Renucci told Hutcheon that he had "indulged in coercive, controlling, aggressive and petulant behaviour".

The judge added: "Your actions towards her were reprehensible and wholly unacceptable.

"No female should be subjected to such conduct."

However, Lord Renucci concluded "very much on balance" he had decided not to jail Hutcheon after considering all the factors.

The sentence will include work on "increasing insight" into his offending and addressing his behaviour.

Hutcheon will also be electronically tagged for eight months keeping him indoors between 19:00 and 07:00.

He was also banned from contacting or going near the victim for three years.

The judge said the sentence was "not an easy option", and that if Hutcheon breached it he would likely be sent to prison.