A sheriff has taken the unusual step of slating a husband sitting in the public benches of his court during sentencing of the man’s wife for a domestic offence involving a knife.
Sheriff Gregor Murray at Forfar told Charlotte Penfold’s spouse he should “take a good look at himself” as he deferred sentence on the 38-year-old following an incident at their home in March.
Mrs Penfold, of Academy Street, Forfar pled guilty just before going to trial accused of behaving in a threatening manner on March 16, brandishing a knife and shouting and swearing at her husband, Adrian, and throwing a knife at a kitchen door.
A criminal justice report into the circumstances behind the incident revealed serious financial difficulties which had culminated in the row and Sheriff Murray was highly critical of Mr Penfold over his part in the background to the offence.
The court heard Mrs Penfold is pursuing bankruptcy and sentence has been deferred for three months to allow the financial position to become clearer.
Sheriff Murray told the accused: “You pled guilty to a serious offence.
“If I was to impose unpaid work, what I would be doing is punishing you for your husband’s stupidity.
“It seems to me what you have done is blindly follow him around the country accruing debt. It’s your decision if you want to stay with him.”
Turning to the accused’s husband sitting at the front of the public gallery, Sheriff Murray told him: “I don’t ordinarily say things like that from the bench, Mr Penfold, take a good look at yourself.”