Aberdeen solicitor Alexander Hutcheon faces jail over 18-month campaign of abuse

Alexander Hutcheon, a 70-year-old property solicitor based in the north-east, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow after pleading guilty to engaging in a course of abusive behaviour between June 1 2022 and January 9 2024. He was bailed pending sentencing next month.

The court heard Hutcheon and the woman had known each other for years after meeting through his legal work, and had a relationship that was “on and off”. Prosecutors said the conduct included verbal abuse, controlling behaviour and physical assaults, alongside gifts and attempts to control the woman through money and travel.

In drink-fuelled episodes, he shouted and swore at her, accused her of cheating and demanded sex. Prosecutor Michelle Brannagan told the court: “The woman provided police with a download of WhatsApp texts exchanged between February 9 and September 17 2023, which extended to almost 1500 pages.”

She added that while many messages were “perfectly ordinary”, others were “argumentative” or of a “manipulative, infantile and petulant nature”.

The court heard Hutcheon frequently bombarded the woman with messages, threatened to involve solicitors when ignored, and persisted even after being blocked on social media.

He also lavished her with expensive trips and gifts, including stays at Gleneagles Hotel, telling her he wanted to “improve her wardrobe”. Prosecutors said that when relationships broke down, he would destroy clothing he had bought by cutting it up.

During one stay at Gleneagles in September 2023, an argument led to the woman walking out. Hutcheon called her a “tink” and a “cow” and threatened police action over alleged missing keys, while still repeatedly asking her to return for sex.

At Radisson Blu Hotel, he kicked her on the shin during another alcohol-fuelled row and left the room in anger. Prosecutors said police later found the woman naked, distressed and wrapped in a sheet, with the room in disorder.

The indictment also included allegations of stalking, including photographing her at a beauty salon and sending the image with a message suggesting he would have “gone for a coffee, but do not know how long u will be like that”.

He was also seen pushing her at her home after a flight from Amsterdam, and again at events in Aberdeen, including a boxing night where staff intervened.

On another occasion in 2024, he pushed her onto a bed and later threw a phone at her face, calling her a “dirty little mink”.

Mark Stewart KC, defending, described Hutcheon as a “successful” lawyer who had spent time on remand at HMP Barlinnie.

Sentencing was deferred, with the judge continuing bail but warning it would be in Hutcheon’s “interests” to stay away from the woman. He is also being considered for a non-harassment order and possible inclusion on the sex offenders register.