Father-of-five pleads guilty to violent assault on wife at Borders holiday park

A 36-year-old man named Christopher Tracey, who is a father of five, was involved in an assault on his wife at a Borders holiday park. During the incident, he kicked his partner in the body and grabbed her by the neck inside a lodge at Lilliardsedge Caravan Park early in the morning on July 10. The police were called shortly before 6am and upon arrival, officers observed the woman with blood on her chest area of her pyjamas and her hand, indicating she had been injured. Tracey pleaded guilty to the assault, with his lawyer stating that he had little recollection of the event due to alcohol consumption but recognized the circumstances stemmed from stress during the holiday trip. The relationship between Tracey and his partner has now ended. Sheriff Scott Manson described the offence as serious, especially considering there was a previous similar conviction involving the same woman. As part of his punishment, Tracey was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work in place of custody. Additionally, he was placed under supervision for 18 months, including requirements to attend the Caledonian Men’s Programme, disclose any involvement with another woman to his supervising officer, and attend alcohol counselling. He was also issued an 18-month non-harassment order that bans any contact with his former partner, with exceptions for necessary access to his children.