Ex-director of Scots whisky firm guilty of domestic abuse

The National

15 hours ago

Christopher Leggat, 44, verbally and violently abused Cara Leggat, 42, between September 2022 and November 2024.
Leggat was the former managing director of Cara's family's company Douglas Laing & Co based in Glasgow's Hillington.
Leggat made current managing director Cara's life hell as their now 12-year marriage broke down.
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He repeatedly slapped his estranged partner and later pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which caused her an injury.
Leggat wished his wife dead notably after he was unhappy about a water bottle he received as a birthday present.
He also attempted to stop Cara from seeing her dad - company chairman Fred Laing and mum Catherine Laing, both 74.
Brave Cara finally reported matters to the police having initially been scared that a conviction would affect Leggat's job prospects.
Unemployed Leggat now faces a custodial sentence after he was found guilty of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner.
Sheriff Allan McKay said: "I was presented with a stark difference in recall between you and your wife.
"Simply put, I had a decision to make about who I believed and that was straightforward for me.
"I will simply say that I found Miss Laing to be a compelling witness and believed what she told me.
"I don't accept your version of events – much of what you said was self-serving and I am not prepared to give it any weight."
The Glasgow Sheriff Court trial heard that Leggat and Cara were married in 2013 and worked together at the firm.
Cara stated to the court that between September and November 2022 was "the worst time of my life" and had a panic attack.
She recalled that in October 2022 she had made a re-heated sausage casserole dinner for the pair.
Leggat told her to serve a "better looking meal" which he said was suitable for a child and called her names.
The next incident took place in January 2023 as a result of Leggat's birthday plans.
She said: "He was most aggrieved and disappointed at a lack of effort to mark his birthday in terms of a meal out.
"He also didn't rate his presents which included a sports water bottle that I bought him."
The water bottle – said to have been made famous on TikTok – was deemed "childish and ridiculous" by Leggat.
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Leggat then told Cara: "I hope you die in your sleep."
The witness added that Leggat apologised to her for the remark and claimed it was "a bit of banter."
The pair were given hospitality tickets to Hampden Park in February 2023 for an Old Firm League Cup Final clash.
Cara stated that when they walked home after the match she was pushed into a bush by Leggat.
She said: "I ended up in a bush or my back against a bush as a result of the force [from] the slap to my face."
When asked how she felt about the incident, Cara replied that it was "upsetting."
Leggat "discouraged" Cara to see her parents which also included a curfew which made her "twitch" when it was close.
Prosecutor Siobhan Currie said in her closing submissions: "Ultimately, there was a pattern of behaviour to isolate her."
Leggat was last violent towards her in November 2024 at the family home in the city's Pollokshields.
Leggat slapped her on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which resulted in a thigh injury.
Cara told the court that she called her mother and father after the incident and Fred attended their home.
The court heard that Fred confronted Leggat and "grabbed him by the scruff of the neck."
Fred then got his daughter to contact the police which led to Leggat's arrest later that night.
Currie asked Cara why she did not contact the police on an earlier occasion.
She replied: "I knew he wanted to stay in the Scottish whisky industry.
"From my knowledge he would find it hard to get into the USA and Singapore which are key places in the industry.
"I didn't want the man not to get an international job."
Leggat, now of Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, told the court in his evidence that he left the company in 2023 with Cara taking over his role.
He stated that he did not complain about his birthday plans and refuted allegations that he told Cara that he wanted her to die.
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Leggat also denied slapping Cara after the Old Firm game but accepted that he may have caught her on the chin or chest while expressing himself in conversation.
He said: "She did not fall into a bush - we were walking beside a bush."
Leggat claimed that Cara "prodded" him 10 times before her father arrived at their home in November 2024.
He stated that he did not grab his wife and push her against the kitchen cabinet.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until August and Leggat was granted bail meantime.
If you have been affected by domestic violence, you can contact Scottish Women's Aid on 0800 027 1234