Jail warning for 80-year-old Sutherland man with ‘appalling attitude’

An elderly north Sutherland man has been warned that he could face a prison sentence if he doesn’t change his ways.

Sheriff Neil Wilson deplored Peter Salisbury’s attitude towards his wife and a social worker who prepared a background report for Wick Sheriff Court last week.

Salisbury (80) admitted a charge of threatening or abusive conduct.

The couple had moved to Strathy with their family in April 2022. The court heard that a disagreement at their home at Aultivullin Road over a marital issue triggered an argument on December 12, last year.

Fiscal depute Grant McLennan said that Salisbury got his wife to sign a document admitting an allegation he had made to her, saying: “I have got you now, bitch.”

Mrs Salisbury left the house and police found her walking along the road in the village “upset and crying”.

Salisbury was seen by officers at the front gate of his home and was cautioned and charged and made no response.

Sheriff Wilson observed that what the accused said to a social worker appeared to contradict his plea of guilty.

Fiona MacDonald commented: “Mr Salisbury is a man with fixed views. He is required to address his behaviour in the first instance. If he does not, there is the potential for something else waiting to happen.”

The solicitor added that the couple were currently living apart but that the accused wanted a reconciliation.

Sheriff Wilson replied it was open to him to send Salisbury to prison immediately but he was not going to do so.

The sheriff told him: “It is entirely up to you. You are a man who is self-centred and puts the blame on his wife for his difficulties.”

Sheriff Wilson said it was rare that a background report demonstrated “an appalling attitude” to a social worker and added: “You will require to change your thinking and reflect on yourself.”

The sheriff imposed a structured deferred sentence for six months... and a warning: “If, at the end of that, I have a report that you have engaged fully with the social worker I will bring matters to an end. However, if that is not the case or should you appear on a similar charge, it will be open to the court to send you to prison.”