Man told to take ‘long, hard look’ at himself after issuing threats

Sheriff told of tirades of abuse at woman despite social work course

A Turkish barber hurled foul-mouthed abuse and threatened his wife, despite having completed a course on how to treat Scottish women, a court heard.

Fecri Konu, 32, has been ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work after he admitted causing his wife fear or alarm by subjecting her to a tirade of abuse on various occasions.

Konu – who admitted punching doors and being aggressive – had previously completed a court-ordered social work course to change his attitude towards Scottish women.

Solicitor Billy Somerville told Perth Sheriff Court that Konu’s victim was the same person who led to him undergoing the year-long cultural attitude course.

Konu, of Strathmore Street in Perth, admitted that on various occasions on 1 December 1 he caused fear or alarm to his partner at King Street in Perth.

He admitted repeatedly adopting an aggressive stance and uttering threats towards her, and punching doors and shouting and swearing at Mrs Konu.

Sheriff Gillian Wade told him yesterday: “It is quite clear you fail to understand the seriousness of your actions and the level of criminality.

“This is not your first domestically aggravated offence and I think you should take a long, hard look at yourself.”

Konu was placed under social work supervision for a year and ordered to pay £200 compensation to his wife for smashing a door in their home.

The court was told yesterday that Konu had flown into a rage after his wife told him the marriage was over and that he should immediately move out.

In 2012, Konu was ordered to undergo social work supervision to address his cultural beliefs after pulling a knife on his Scottish wife for being “disrespectful” towards him.

Konu was told to change his attitude to Scottish women after confronting his wife when she was too busy working to join him for breakfast.

A sheriff ordered him to spend a year working with social workers after accepting the confrontation was sparked by “cultural differences” between Turkey and Scotland.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said he accepted that the incident was not a “domestic assault” in the traditional sense, but was due to the couple’s different views of their roles.

Konu presented the blade at his wife when he felt she had been “disrespectful” as she continued to speak to a hair salon rep instead of doing his bidding.

It is quite clear you fail to understand the seriousness of your actions and the level of criminality. SHERIFF GILLIAN WADE