13 hours ago
Guilty, whisky boss who terrorised his wife in terrifying two year campaign of abuse
The shamed ex-director of a Scots whisky firm has been convicted of terrorising his wife for more than two years.
Christopher Leggat verbally and violently abused Cara Leggat, 42, between September 2022 and November 2024.
He was branded 'self-serving' by a judge who told the 44-year-old he simply did not believe his version of events.
Leggat was the former managing director of her family's company Douglas Laing & Co based in the Glasgow 's Hillington.
But he made current managing director Cara's life hell as their 12-year marriage broke down.
He repeatedly slapped his estranged partner and later pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which caused her an injury.
He also told his wife he wished she was dead because he was unhappy about a water bottle he received as a birthday present.
The bully also attempted to stop her from seeing her father - company chairman Fred Laing, and mother Catherine Laing, both 74.
She finally reported matters to the police having initially been scared that a conviction would affect Leggat's job prospects.
But 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 straight forward 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.
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.
Leggat is then told Cara: 'I hope you die in your sleep.'
The witness added that Leggat apologised 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.
Leggat 'discouraged' Cara from seeing her parents and was under a curfew which made her 'twitch' when it was close.
He 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 he confronted Leggat and 'grabbed him by the scruff of the neck' and told his daughter to contact the police.
Leggat was arrested later that night.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until August and he was granted bail meantime.
