Justice in Moray:- RAF serviceman held knife to woman's throat
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An RAF serviceman has been sentenced today for subjecting two of his former partners to a campaign of domestic abuse while living in Moray.
Stephen Shaw's offences took place in Kinloss, Burghead, Elgin and Nairn during the 1990s.
The 52-year-old appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court earlier today to be sentenced, having been found guilty last month
During his trial the jury heard that Shaw repeatedly slapped, punched and kicked his first wife on the body.
In addition, over the course of the same 20 months from February 1992 onwards, he often used abusive and derogatory terms towards her.
Then on various occasions between April 1995 and December 1998, he acted in a similar way towards the other woman.
On one occasion he whipped her with a fishing rod.
On another he held a knife against her throat while she was holding a baby.
The jury also heard how Shaw once tried to push the woman off a motorbike while they were riding between Burghead and Roseisle.
After Shaw was convicted last month, the case was adjourned to allow social workers to compile a report about his background.
Speaking at court today, defence solicitor Brent Lockie stated that his client, who has since remarried, is "a very different man nowadays".
Mr Lockie told Sheriff Margaret Neilson: "He was aged 22 and 29 when these offences were committed but there has been no further offending since.
"He has been in a relationship with his wife of seven years for 10 years and she describes him as 'the best of husbands'.
"He has been in the RAF all his life and has an exemplary record."
Mr Lockie also showed the Sheriff a letter of reference from Shaw's squadron leader.
The defence solicitor added: "It is accepted that they are serious offences he has been convicted of but a custodial sentence would result in the loss of his job, his career and probably his home."
Shaw, who now lives in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, was ordered to complete the maximum 300 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to prison.
Sheriff Neilson said: "I have taken into account the age of these offences, that there has been no re-offending since and your service to your country."
