An Ayrshire surgeon has found himself in the dock for the second time in a year facing domestic abuse charges.
A concerned neighbour called the police on Itamar Felsenstein, a surgeon at Kilmarnock's Crosshouse Hospital, after they heard him acting in an aggressive manner and repeatedly shouting towards his 76-year-old wife of 34 years at his former Ayr home on Inverkar Road on April 25.
Ayr Sheriff Court heard the police have received a total of nine domestic incidences surrounding the 61-year-old, now of Hyndland in Glasgow – two of which resulted in convictions.
Solicitor Robert Campbell said Felsenstein, who he described as having a ‘loud Mediterranean voice’ felt “embarrassed to be in court”.
He said: “For the second time within a year, Mr Felsenstein finds himself in court.
“The offence itself was nothing involving violence, it involved shouting.”
Sheriff Mhairi McTaggart replied: “It wasn’t just shouting, it was acting in an aggressive manner.”
Mr Campbell continued: “With his previous conviction, it’s also his neighbours who called the police.
“But he is shouting and I’ve told him he can’t go on behaving like this.
“I think part of it is he’s got a loud Mediterranean voice. He’s been under considerable stress but that’s not an excuse.”
Sheriff McTaggart responded: “The report points out there have been nine domestic incidences – two of which resulted in convictions.
“That’s not just occasionally shouting. The police have had nine domestic incidents reported to them.”
Sheriff McTaggart told Felsenstein: “You were convicted back in 2021 of a similar offence and put on a deferred sentence, and you’re appearing again before this court.
“There’s going to come a point where a deferred sentence is simply not going to be an option.
“This can’t go on – it’s not acceptable in society anymore.
“You can’t act in an aggressive manner towards your partner – do you understand that? I’m going to give one more opportunity on a deferred sentence.
“Your sentence will be deferred for three months. I’m going to keep an eye on you in the meantime.”
Sentencing for Felsenstein was deferred until a later date for him to be of good behaviour and for the court to obtain a supplementary social work report.
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