Scots whisky firm director who slapped wife & said ‘I hope you die' dodges jail over horrendous domestic abuse
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A SHAMED ex-director of a Scots whisky firm who terrorised his wife was today ordered to 250 hours of unpaid work.
Christopher Leggat, 44, verbally and violently abused Cara Leggat, 42, between September 2022 and November 2024.
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A trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court heard about his campaign of abuse
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Leggat was the former managing director of Cara's family's company Douglas Laing & Co based in the Glasgow's Hillington.
Leggat made current managing director Cara's life hell as their now 12-year marriage broke down.
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 was found guilty in June of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner.
Sheriff Allan McKay told him at today's sentencing: "On some level these are an incredibly sad set of circumstances.
"This offer of a community payback order is a direct alternative to custody.
"If you breach it and don't see it through, you will find yourself going to prison."
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A four-month non-harassment order was also granted prohibiting Leggat's contact with Cara.
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 took 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.
Leggat told wife 'I hope you die in your sleep'
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.
Leggat is then told Cara: "I hope you die in your sleep."
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families: Always keep your phone nearby.
Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women's Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
If you are in danger, call 999.
Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing '55'.
Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity's email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women's Aid provides a live chat service - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
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 and 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 as a result of 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.
"I ended up in a bush or my back against a bush as a result of the force as a result of the slap to my face."
Prosecutor Siobhan Currie said in her closing submissions: "Ultimately, there was a pattern of behaviour to isolate her."
Leggat was lastly 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.
Miss 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.
Duncan McPhie, defending, told the sentencing: "My client admits, accepts and regrets the behaviour.
"He is remorseful and regretful and he is sorry.
"In all the circumstances, he tenders his apologies to the court.
"It is probably too late to apologise to his victim, but he has asked me to apologise the behaviour he was convicted of."
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