Domestic abuse victim Annie Hirdman has shown great courage in speaking out against the former police officer who physically and mentally tortured her throughout their relationship.
For six years, ex-Constable Fraser Ross relentlessly beat and psychologically abused Annie until she found the courage to report him.
She has now used her voice to empower other victims and assure them there can be escape from brutes like Ross if they are reported to police.
It is unfortunate, to say the least, that Annie’s abuser was an officer with Police Scotland.
All women must be confident that the officers who are there to protect them are not abusers themselves.
And victims should also know the courts will deal with abusers harshly, which is not the message sent by the community payback order handed to Ross.
Annie is still suffering mentally and physically from the relentless attacks Ross subjected to her but thankfully she is free of his grasp.
However, the serious and continued campaign of abuse by Ross demonstrates he remains a danger to other women and is highly likely to claim other victims.
He has shown no remorse for his behaviour and, in fact, has placed all the blame for his actions on Annie.
He has all the hallmarks of a violent offender who will not stop.
Top-up needed
It says a lot when Iain Duncan smith feels the conservatives have gone too far.
Domestic abusers like Ross rarely cease abusing women unless they are forced to and it requires a prison sentence, not a community payback order.
The failed Tory leader was responsible for the disastrous welfare reforms of the early 2010s which saw the introduction of the loathed Universal Credit system.
Now he and five other former work and pensions secretaries are calling for their own party to make permanent the uplift which saw claimants handed an extra £20 a week.
It was introduced during the first lockdown as a temporary measure but opposition parties and charities have long warned it could plunge thousands into even greater poverty if it’s ended.
Research from think-tank the Legatum Institute calculates that the weekly top-up has spared hundreds of thousands of people from destitution.
Boris Johnson must heed the call from within his own party and ensure the uplift is made permanent.
