Tain man who hit elderly wife with shooting stick is spared prison
Ian Malcolm Peek of Tain was instead put on a community payback order when he appeared for sentencing at Tain Sheriff Court today.
As part of the order he will be under social work supervision for two years and be required to attend a Respect Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme.
Peek was also banned for two years from approaching or contacting, apart from through a lawyer, his estranged wife, Mary Ann Peek (68) or daughter Kirsty McVeigh (37).
The couple, who have been married for 42 years, are now separated.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood called it an “unprovoked and vicious attack on an elderly lady”. He also said Peek did not see himself as someone “who has got something to learn”.
Peek was found guilty after trial last month of two charges of assault and one of abusive behaviour. Sentence was deferred for background reports and Peek was warned that he could be facing a term in jail.
The trial heard how he returned to the marital home at Manse Street “in a bad mood” at 10.30pm on Saturday January 24th after an evening spent at the local Masonic Lodge.
His wife testified that he had obviously been drinking and became verbally abusive. She went to get a shooting stick as a “deterrent” but Peek grabbed the stick and hit her several times on her shoulder and back. He also punched her.
The couple’s daughter, who was living with them at the time, ran to help her mother only to be punched repeatedly by her father.
Mrs Peek was left with a swollen face, a lump on the back of her head and a painful back. Her daughter sustained a three-inch long bruise on her wrist from blocking the punches.
Peek maintained in evidence that he had been attacked by his wife and daughter after he made a comment about his daughter pounding down the stairs like a “herd of elephants”.
At Tuesday’s court, defence agent Eileen MacInnes said Peek’s world as he knew it had changed dramatically.
He was estranged from his wife and there were no prospects of a reconciliation.
She said: “His personal and financial circumstances are now largely compromised by the situation.”
Ms MacInnes said that her client had expressed regret for his actions.
“Mr Peek is 80 and has no previous convictions bar a charge for careless driving. This trial is something that is completely out of character and it is a matter of considerable regret to him that he finds himself before the court,” she said.
“He regrets lashing out and causing an injury to his wife. He struck out in anger with little thought for the consequences.
Ms MacInnes said Peek was well aware that a custodial sentence could be imposed.
However she asked the sheriff to consider Peek’s age, lack of record and ill health and impose either a community based disposal or a financial penalty and compensation order to his victims.
