ABERDEEN HAIRDRESSER GUILTY OF 'HORRENDOUS' DOMESTIC ABUSE, SENTENCED TO NON-HARASSMENT ORDER
An Aberdeen man named Lee McKay, who owns a hair salon in the city, has been found guilty of subjecting his wife Melissa to over a year of severe domestic abuse, which included controlling behavior, verbal threats, and physical violence.The court case was held at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, where McKay, 33, denied the charges but was convicted under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act.
The court sentenced him to a three-year non-harassment order, which prohibits him from approaching or contacting his ex-wife.
The judge, Sheriff William Summers, described McKay's actions as a 'remorseless course of domestic abuse' culminating in a violent assault in September 2020, during which he seized and compressed his wife Melissa’s neck.
During her statement, Melissa, 36, expressed her relief and happiness that justice was served, saying, 'I am really happy he was found guilty' and she was 'relieved' to have survived his attempt at choking her.
She described the domestic abuse as 'horrendous' and involving coercive control, threats to her children, and monitoring her whereabouts, with McKay also stopping her from contacting her parents and accusing her of infidelity.
During the trial, defense lawyer Gregor Kelly acknowledged that there was some physical conduct but emphasized a pattern of mutual abuse and attempted to argue for rehabilitation instead of jail, hoping McKay could participate in a domestic abuse program.
The sheriff noted that McKay had 'chosen his words carefully' during evidence and interviews, but remained concerned that he didn't fully accept responsibility for his actions.
As part of his sentence, McKay was ordered to perform 120 hours of unpaid work, undergo supervision for two years, and participate in the Caledonian program.
The case highlighted the serious nature of domestic abuse and the importance of judicial action to protect victims.
