A twisted Linwood man who hid a recording device in the family home in a bid to try to catch his wife cheating has narrowly avoided a jail sentence.
Abusive Aaron Deans hid a camera in the family’s garden, accused his wife of cheating on him and repeatedly checked her mobile phone and social media.
The 41-year-old brute admitted to domestic abuse of his partner at various locations between February 17, 2023 and April 4 this year.
Deans, of Cowal Drive, repeatedly asked his wife to download and share her location history with him and sent her friends and family “covert recordings” claiming these were his wife engaging in sexual acts with males.
The bully even threatened to send these recordings to his wife’s employers.
Procurator fiscal Michael Cunningham told Paisley Sheriff Court throughout the relationship, paranoid Deans would make accusations his wife was cheating on him.
Mr Cunningham explained how the couple had a “heated argument” in Loch Fyne in February 2023 resulting in Deans throwing his wedding ring out of the hotel room window.
And on a trip to Dublin in April 2023, for Deans’ birthday, he posted a picture of a male on social media accusing his wife of being in a relationship with the man.
Mr Cunningham told of other abusive incidents, stating: “In July, last year, the accused began to question his wife’s meetings with a friend.
“He sent audio recordings and demanded explanations.
“On August 27, the accused’s wife was awoken in the night as he was walking around the house with a hammer looking in various rooms and wardrobes.
“When asked why he had the hammer he stated he was searching for other men in the house.”
The court heard Deans would send his wife audio recordings claiming they were recordings of her having sex with other males.
Deans would check her phone and social media accounts and demand she install unnecessary security features in an attempt to isolate her from her friends and family.
Mr Cunningham added: “An audio recording was sent by the accused.
“He stated she was discussing having sex with a male. She searched the property and found a small black recording device within a guitar in the living room.
“In December 2023, the accused continued to send emails and messages and sent an image of a screen stating it was an image of a man going past the window and entering her house.
“The wife searched the garden and found a camera hidden in the garden which she removed and destroyed.
“She attended Mill Street police office and the accused was traced in April.”
Defence agent Mr Cunningham told the court his client “hasn’t had any brushes with the law.”
He added: “It is to her great credit that Mr Deans’ wife wishes to save the marriage and so does he.
“He’s shown insight into his offending and his paranoia and has accepted he has a lot to learn to address his problems.”
Sheriff Sean Lynch stated: “It seems your wife is prepared to put this behind you and so I can deal with this with a community payback order.”
Sheriff Lynch made Deans subject to supervision of the social work department for 12 months and ordered he carries out the ‘Up To You’ programme.
In addition he was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the community.
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