An Aberdeen solicitor has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work after subjecting a woman to an 18-month campaign of abusive behaviour spanning from 1 June 2022 to 9 January 2024.
Alexander Hutcheon, 71, a director of the Mortgage and Property Centre in Aberdeen, admitted assaulting, stalking and harassing the victim as well as demanding sex with her during this period. The pair had known each other for a number of years having initially met through his legal work, with the woman later identified as an ex-partner in court proceedings.
At the High Court in Glasgow, Hutcheon received a community payback order and was placed under supervision for three years. He was also electronically tagged for eight months, confined indoors between 19:00 and 07:00, and banned from contacting or going near the victim for three years.
What was the nature of the abuse?
Prosecutor Michelle Brannagan detailed a pattern of controlling and aggressive conduct. Hutcheon would frequently shout and swear at the victim, call her names while accusing her of cheating, and bombard her with messages that left her upset and scared at times.
He spent money on hotel stays, holidays, and designer clothes for the woman, telling her he wanted to "improve her wardrobe". However, according to court reporting, he would then cut up the expensive designer clothing when angry, destroying items he had purchased.
What did the judge say?
Lord Renucci told Hutcheon that he had "indulged in coercive, controlling, aggressive and petulant behaviour". The judge stated:
"Your actions towards her were reprehensible and wholly unacceptable. No female should be subjected to such conduct."
However, Lord Renucci concluded "very much on balance" that he would not impose a custodial sentence after considering all the factors in the case. The judge described the community payback order as "not an easy option", warning that any breach would likely result in imprisonment.
What conditions were imposed?
The sentence includes work focused on "increasing insight" into his offending and addressing his behaviour. According to Scottish Legal News, Hutcheon was also being considered for a non-harassment order and possible inclusion on the sex offenders register.
What is Hutcheon's background?
Hutcheon had previously appeared in court in early 2024 over unrelated allegations involving assault and threatening or abusive behaviour at Meldrum House Hotel. That earlier case identified him as a senior Aberdeen property and mortgaging business owner, establishing his local profile in the business community.
The sentencing in the High Court in Glasgow represents the resolution of the 18-month abuse case, with the court's decision to impose community supervision rather than jail time reflecting the judge's assessment of the circumstances, though with strict conditions designed to protect the victim and monitor Hutcheon's behaviour.
Key Facts
- Hutcheon admitted assaulting, stalking, harassing and making sexual demands of the victim between June 2022 and January 2024
- He received 200 hours unpaid work, three years supervision, eight months electronic tagging (19:00-07:00 curfew), and a three-year contact ban
- The abuse involved verbal aggression, financial control through gifts, and destruction of clothing he had purchased for the victim
- He is a director of the Mortgage and Property Centre in Aberdeen and had previously faced separate assault allegations
- The judge warned that any breach of the community payback order would likely result in imprisonment
