Bully husband met wife at Edinburgh Airport and shouted 'look at your lips'
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An 80-year-old husband bullied his much younger foreign bride after she returned from her homeland with lip fillers and dyed hair in a bid to 'look more British'.
Frank Robb abused and berated his wife over 18 months and hid her passport to prevent her from returning to her home in Azerbaijan. Robb - who has posted pro-white and anti-migrant views online - subjected her to vile threats and told her that he wished she was dead.
Sheriff Derek Reekie told Robb: "What I heard was an appalling course of conduct in a domestic situation and you should be utterly ashamed of yourself." Banning Robb from contact with his ex-wife for 12 months, he said: "You had a much younger wife from a different culture and country who would, no doubt, have challenges financially in a new country.
"I am shocked it might have taken this court process to make you aware of how appalling a way this was to treat someone you were married to. I am pleased to hear this might be a wake up call and you have realised the error of your ways."
The sheriff heard that Robb was still working and he ordered the octogenarian to carry out 180 hours unpaid work in the community. Robb, from Alyth, Perthshire, admitted engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards his ex between January 1 2023 and July 21 2024.
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He admitted refusing to help with passports and visas to prevent her travelling and working. He also admitted shouting and swearing at a child. Fiscal depute Nicola Caira told Perth Sheriff Court: "The accused and the complainer had been together for 20 years and married for 14 of them.
"The relationship was said to have been quite turbulent and she put that down to the accused's drinking. In March 2023 she returned to Scotland after being in Azerbaijan. The accused met her at Edinburgh Airport and the first comment he made to the complainer was 'what the f*** is that? Look at your lips.' He called her a p*** because she had dyed her hair lighter and used lip fillers to look more British.
"During her time in Scotland he is said to have called her a b**** and a fat cow and said to her to look at herself in the mirror. He said: 'Look at your body - you've been used too much.'"
Robb grabbed his wife by the collar and told her he would kill her if she dared to take their child to her home country, the court was told. Ms Caira said: "It appears there was an attempt to hide the passport from the complainer to prevent her travelling. He promised to fix issues with her passport, but would then state he had no money.
"It was the same with her visa to work in Scotland. It was felt as though the accused was making an issue of this to keep the complainer in Scotland. He would tell her to get a job, but not assist her. His behaviour deteriorated again and he would shout and swear at her."
Robb told her: "I wish you were dead. Everything was great before you came back here. You ruined my life." He also told them he hoped the family cat would die too.
During a holiday in Cornwall, Robb threatened to stop the car and shove his wife out, before suggesting they go for pizza which he knew she did not like. "He drove over a baby seagull, killing it," the prosecutor said.
"The complainer stated she felt helpless and unsure what to do. She stated she did not know anyone else and felt isolated and alone." She eventually reported Robb to police and he was arrested.
"He stated he was sorry for what he has done and she accepted this," Ms Caira said. "She stated she has had no contact from the accused and does not wish contact."
Solicitor Angela McLardy, defending, told the court: "He sits here, very uncomfortable hearing what has been said. He is very remorseful. He provides an explanation borne from a lack of financial security. His behaviour was completely unacceptable. The parties have separated.
"He has learned a great deal from this experience. He is deeply embarrassed that his behaviour has been put before everyone. He would liked to have highlighted the good times they did share."
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