GEORGE MCCALLUM ABERDEEN CHURCHGOER SENTENCED FOR VIOLENT DOMESTIC ABUSE IN ABERDEEN

A man from Aberdeen, known within his community for his pastoral care and support at a local church, has been legally ordered to stay away from his former partner following a disturbing two-year pattern of violent domestic abuse. George McCallum appeared before Aberdeen Sheriff Court to face the charges, which detailed a series of aggressive and threatening behaviors directed at his partner between 2017 and 2019.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that McCallum had engaged in multiple acts of physical violence, including punching, slapping, and grabbing his partner on numerous occasions. The assaults were not confined to private settings; they escalated to the point where members of the public had to intervene during an incident outside an Asda supermarket in Aberdeen. The court also heard that McCallum had assaulted his partner while she was pregnant, a fact that added to the severity of his actions. Furthermore, he had threatened to kill her, a statement that underscored the dangerous nature of his conduct.

His solicitor, John McLeod, sought to highlight McCallum’s involvement in the church community, emphasizing that he often provides advice and pastoral support to others. Despite the serious allegations and his admitted behavior, McLeod pointed out that there had been no further incidents since the events in question, suggesting a possible period of remorse or change. However, the court was clear in its judgment that the pattern of violence could not be ignored.

The court detailed the progression of McCallum’s abusive behavior. It was reported that the violence began in April 2017 when he allegedly grabbed his pregnant partner around the neck and attempted to drag her onto a balcony. The victim reportedly had to pretend to pass out in order to escape his grip. The violence continued into February 2018, with McCallum accused of throwing her to the ground, hitting her in the head, and trying to drag her out of a room. The situation worsened in April 2019, after his jealousy was triggered by a Facebook notification from another man. During this period, he verbally abused her with degrading language and made threats, including a chilling statement that he could “just f****** kill you.” He also physically dragged her back into a room when she tried to leave and sent her threatening messages afterward.

One particularly alarming incident occurred in September 2019, in the Garthdee Road area of Aberdeen. The victim was driving with her children when McCallum, visibly intoxicated, approached her and asked for a lift. She offered him a ride but requested he sit in the back of her vehicle due to his state. During the journey, McCallum’s aggression resurfaced; he tore out her hair bobble, verbally abused her, and grabbed her arm as if to “snap it off.” He threatened to punch her and, in the course of the assault, ripped off the headrest of her car seat to gain better access. He then slapped her face, hitting her cheekbone and mouth. Fortunately, witnesses in the car park intervened, with one asking if she needed police assistance. The victim confirmed she did, and another bystander helped her out of the vehicle, describing her as being in a “hysterical” state. McCallum, who smelled strongly of alcohol, explained to the bystander that he had come to see his children but admitted that “things had got out of hand.”

The injuries sustained by the victim included redness and swelling on her face, hands, and wrists. McCallum admitted to two assault charges and one charge of engaging in a course of conduct that was abusive. The sheriff described the case as “distressing,” reflecting the serious nature of the offenses. His solicitor expressed confusion about his behavior, portraying McCallum as a hardworking individual involved in church activities. Despite this, the court decided on a community justice order, which includes 225 hours of unpaid work, participation in a domestic abuse program, and a non-harassment order preventing him from approaching his former partner for two years.