A flooring store boss furious at being given fajitas for dinner flung the meal in his grieving wife's face. At the time James McAteer's partner was trying to compose a eulogy for her dead uncle. A court heard the assault was part of a catalogue of domestic abuse spanning 10 years.
On another occasion McAteer pulled down the family Christmas tree in a fit of fury. Company director McAteer, 49, of Bothwell, Lanarkshire, admitted assaulting his wife, Fiona, by throwing food at her and struggling with her to her injury.
He also admitted threatening or abusive behaviour towards her on various occasions between December 2011 and October 2020. Aga Mathieson, prosecuting, said McAteer often called his wife derogatory names during their turbulent marriage.
