An offshore worker recovering from cancer has been fined for behaving in a “threatening manner” towards his wife after returning home from an operation.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday heard that Joss Lovie was told he only had months to live after being diagnosed with the disease in 2016, but managed to defy medical expectation after being put on a trial of new drugs.
The illness – and his drinking – did however put strain on the 44-year-old’s relationship with his wife, Andrea James-Lovie.
And on Friday that saw police called to the address the couple share near Stonehaven, after she brought him back from hospital following surgery on Friday.
Fiscal Gavin Letford said “The accused had recently undergone a major operation and his wife went to hospital to pick him up.
“The accused began to argue with her when they got home, as he believed she was being patronising to him.
“He then followed her up the stairs and proceeded to shout and swear in her direction before cornering her while brandishing a lamp.”
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter
Police arrived at couple’s home on Cairnhill Terrace, Newtonhill, and Lovie was arrested.
The accused, who works with an offshore firm in Norway and is now staying with a friend on Northern Road in Kintore, admitted behaving in a “threatening or abusive manner” by shouting, swearing and “brandishing a lamp”.
Mr Letford said the couple had been married for four years but had not spoken since the incident.
Defence agent, Stuart Beveridge, said the couple had been through a trying time in the weeks before the argument.
Mr Beveridge said: “He lost his temper and very much regrets his behaviour. He is very much ashamed and embarrassed.
“He accepts things have been bad between he and his partner and she has asked that he seeks assistance and counselling for drinking.
“This was a one-off incident due to background stress.”
Sheriff Graham Buchanan fined Lovie £140.