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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Rory Cassidy

Brave Scots mum abused by former cop boyfriend slams decision to let him skip court

A brave mum has hit out after her former police officer boyfriend was allowed to dodge court over the brutal domestic abuse he inflicted on her.

Anne-Marie Hirdman, 42, blasted the Scots justice system, saying the decision to let ex- police constable Fraser Ross miss a court hearing “sends the wrong signal”.

The former model was terrorised by Ross, 42, so much during their six-year relationship that she thought he would kill her.

He was spared jail over the abuse last year, being placed on a Community Payback Order and told to return to court every few months for hearings to monitor his progress.

But he was allowed to miss a review hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court and have the case dealt with in his absence.

Another review hearing was scheduled for six months’ time.

Anne-Marie said: “I’m not surprised as he has been getting treated differently all the time throughout this process.

“It’s the wrong signal to send out to criminals who are police officers and to the public in having faith in the system.

"This is another kick in the teeth.” Anne-Marie, who has a heart condition, still suffers physically and emotionally from Ross’s abuse more than two years after they split.

The Glasgow officer, who resigned in disgrace after 16 years in the role, incessantly abused her at their Motherwell home.

Ross was found guilty of assaulting her and behaving in a threatening or abusive way.

A Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service spokesman said: “Fraser Ross was sentenced on June 22, 2021, to a Community Payback Order.

“Mr Ross was present at this hearing. Thereafter, the Sheriff has assigned a number of reviews.

“The practice at Hamilton as directed by the Sheriff Principal is to reduce footfall within the building.”

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