DOMESTIC ABUSER JOHN TORRIE JAILED AFTER REVEALING VICTIM'S PREGNANCY DURING COURT HEARING
A man who subjected his partner to a series of severe abusive behaviors was found to have an additional distressing revelation during his court hearing: his victim is pregnant with his child, a fact he was unaware of until that moment.John Torrie, aged 31, appeared via video link at Aberdeen Sheriff Court when this information was disclosed.Over a period of thirteen months, Torrie inflicted physical assaults on the woman and engaged in psychological abuse, including vile taunts such as encouraging her to overdose.
He previously admitted to engaging in a course of behavior that was abusive, occurring between February 10, 2020, and March 19, 2021, at an address in the northeast and elsewhere.
His address was given as Brickfield Court, Stonehaven.His offenses included assaulting the woman and attempting to kick a police officer in the head, alongside failing to comply with bail conditions.
Torrie accepted full responsibility for his actions, although he could not recall all aspects of his conduct, and his solicitor described his relationship with the victim as 'toxic.' The defense counsel requested a non-custodial sentence, believing Torrie could benefit from a rehabilitation program aimed at changing abusive behavior, specifically the Caledonian scheme.However, Sheriff Morag McLaughlin determined that a non-custodial sentence was not appropriate and sentenced Torrie to nine months in jail.
In addition, a two-year non-harassment order was imposed, reflecting the victim's desire to have no ongoing contact with Torrie due to her pregnancy and feeling of being 'at risk' from him.
Torrie had previously engaged in numerous incidents, including violent assaults, abusive messages urging her to harm herself, and controlling behaviors that adversely impacted her mental health.
The victim ultimately contacted police after Torrie struck her phone and sent her abusive texts.
