Dame Ann Gloag’s gardener found guilty of attacking his wife

THE head gardener at Dame Ann Gloag’s Perthshire castle has been found guilty of attacking his wife when they lived together in staff accommodation there.

Robert Isdale had denied the 2018 domestic assault at Kinfauns Castle, near Perth, but was convicted after a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

The 56-year-old will be sentenced at a later date.

Isdale’s then-wife, Anne Mungai, 43, told the court she moved from Kenya to Scotland in 2015 and they married in October that year.

Giving evidence she said Isdale was unhappy about a movie she had put on, leading to an argument.

Prosecutor Brogan Moffat read out parts of a witness statement which Ms Mungai gave to police on September 12 2020 which described how Isdale threatened her and gripped her neck tightly causing her to choke. It also said he threw a heavy, wooden elephant statue towards her which smashed.

She recalled picking up a knife from a table and saying she would stab him.

The court also heard from Ms Mungai’s son, Louis Mutua, who walked in to see his mum holding a knife close to her chest and a broken elephant statue on the floor. He said Isdale appeared angry.

Defence counsel Murdo Macleod KC highlighted Ms Mungai and her son first reported the assault to police in a phone call on August 31 2020, 11 days after receiving a letter to the effect Isdale wanted a divorce.

Mr Macleod noted her visa was nearing the end of a five-year probationary period and suggested one way of enabling her to stay was to claim she was the victim of domestic violence.

He said of the assault: “That definitely didn’t happen. I would remember if I put my hands around her.”

Sheriff Susan Duff said she found the evidence of Ms Mungai and her son credible and reliable and convicted Isdale of the assault. Sentencing was adjourned until June 6.

Robert Isdale had denied the assault in 2018.