Denies abuse charges

A senior Army officer went on trial at Perth Sheriff Court last week, accused of a year-long campaign of domestic abuse against his wife.

Forty-eight-year-old LieutenantColonel Simon Brigham Bloodworth has denied a catalogue of controlling behaviour, said to have taken place at addresses in Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Germany.

His trial was to have taken place on January 11 but was delayed because Covid travel restrictions prevented several witnesses, who live south of the border, coming to Scotland to give evidence.

It is alleged that between April 1, 2019, and April 6, 2020, at his home and at addresses in Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Gutersloh, Germany, as well as at the MacDonald Highland Resort, Aviemore, he engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his wife.

He is said to have controlled her finances and purchased her car, mobile phone and laptop in his own name – and refused to allow her to return to work.

It is also claimed that he had knowledge of his wife’s passwords to her electronic devices, email, social media and bank accounts.

It is further alleged that on one occasion he shouted and swore and made threatening remarks relating to killing the family pet dog.

In addition, Bloodworth is accused of obtaining pictures of“an untidy house,”then occupied by him and his wife, from another person – and that he attended at his mother-in-law’s home uninvited and repeatedly banged on a door there.

He is said to have turned up at the MacDonald Highland Resort without an invitation and that he followed his wife in a car before approaching her and shouting at her.

It is alleged that the Army officer made a threatening remark to his wife, in the presence of others, and that he demanded she return to the matrimonial home.

One of the final allegations in the detailed charge claims that he repeatedly drove past his mother-inlaw’s address.

Bloodworth, of Heathfield Road, Invergordon, was previously released on bail with a condition not to approach or contact his wife.

The trial continues and further evidence will be heard on April 12.