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Former Forres man is fined £750 and given 18-month non-harassment order after domestic violence


By Ali Morrison

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A FORMER Forres man has been fined and given a non-harassment order after being found guilty of domestic abuse.

Franz Rolink (64) and his wife's 19-year relationship came to a violent end, with Rolink, formerly of Roysvale Place, now having returned to his native Germany.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Rolink would call his partner names and on one occasion he grabbed her by the throat.

Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood said the pair would frequently argue over money and it would "get heated".

She said that Rolink would call her "useless" and other derogatory terms, and once pushed her on the body in the kitchen causing her to fall into a chair.

The final straw in the relationship came on July 17, 2020, when they again argued about a pension.

"He seized her by the neck and compressed it so that she found it difficult to breathe," Mrs Eastwood said. "She remembers thinking 'I am going to die now.'"

A neighbour heard her screams and came to her aid. "She was found in the garden, coughing and she had red marks on her neck," the prosecutor added.

Rolink was later arrested and told police: "It was not physical this time. I put my hand on her and she screamed."

Rolink was not present when his case was called before Sheriff Ian Cruickshank but his solicitor, Stephen Carty, pleaded guilty on his client's behalf to a domestic abuse offence which occurred between March 13 to July 17, 2020.

Mr Carty said there his client had "traumatic experiences in his childhood" and had sought treatment for his mental and psychological health.

"His intention is to stay permanently in Germany. The relationship is well and truly over."

Rolink was fined £750 and an 18 month non-harassment order was imposed, preventing him from contacting or attempting to contact his former partner.


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