Sheriff rewrites rules for engagement

A BRIDE-TO-BE has been allowed to speak to her fiancee after a ban on them talking to each other until after the wedding was overturned by a court yesterday.

Groom-to-be Robert Spencer had been banned from communicating with his partner Jacqueline McFadyen until August – more than two months after they planned to marry.

But yesterday he persuaded a sheriff to overturn the ban because it was making it impossible for the couple to discuss the wedding arrangements.

Solicitor Billy Somerville told the court: "The parties wish to get married, and also it is her 50th birthday coming up, and they wish to make arrangements for both events.

"Because they are not able to discuss matters at present it is making arrangements impossible. The bail conditions are having a fairly detrimental effect on Ms McFadyen. She is signed off work."

Fiscal depute Julie McAra confirmed she had spoken to the bride-to-be and she said she was happy to have Spencer move back into her home in 99 Cramond Place, Perth.

Spencer had been placed on bail after he admitted breaching the peace during a blazing row the couple had as they discussed their wedding plans.

He was ordered to have no contact with his bride-to-be until August even though the court heard they planned to get married in June this year.

The couple have been together for five years, but the bizarre ruling was put in place after Spencer, 55, admitted breaching the peace by shouting and swearing during an argument about wedding finances.

The couple – who had been saving for the wedding – had a row about how much money they had spent during a day out together in the pub before Christmas.

Solicitor Linda Clark, for Spencer, previously said: "The couple have been saving up for their wedding in June this year.

Sheriff Foulis had a change of heart yesterday and removed the special bail condition. The couple, who left court together, declined to comment further.