Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Domestic violence: 'I forgave him because I thought it was a one-off'

Paul Waugh
Tuesday 25 June 2002 00:00 BST

When Janet Bridges married Callum McPherson in Alloa Registration Office 1988, she was so happy that she had to pinch herself. Janet, then 17, was even more delighted when she discovered she was pregnant within two weeks of the marriage.

But some months later a secret, more sinister side to her husband's nature began to reveal itself. She said: "I found out shortly after the wedding that Callum was a gambler. He had a set amount a week, just a few pounds, which was fine at first, but it got much worse.

"He also drank quite a lot. It was mainly at night, but then he started having a few drinks in the middle of the day and that worried me."

She convinced herself that the problems were a mere blip and was overjoyed when Callum helped her choose a cot and pram for the baby. But her husband's drinking got worse, his gambling became more expensive and, to her complete shock, he became violent. "The first time Callum raised his hands to me, I was eight months pregnant. He'd been drinking and lost his temper and he punched me directly in the stomach," she recalls.

"I was completely stunned. Afterwards, when he sobered up, Callum felt so guilty and was really apologetic. He hadn't hurt the baby and swore he'd never do anything like that again. I forgave him because at that time I really thought it was a one-off."

Janet finally snapped in 1997 when the local council told her her rent account was £1,000 in arrears. Her husband admitted spending the money. She agreed to pay the arrears and filed for divorce. Their marriage ended in 1998.

But two years later Callum stabbed Janet with a bread knife after drinking. He pleaded guilty at Alloa Sheriff Court last year and was jailed for nine months. Janet said: "I was shocked by the sentence, but perhaps prison will give him a shock."

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in