Advertisement

Runner McColgan Cleared Of Attacking Husband

Runner McColgan Cleared Of Attacking Husband

Former British Olympic runner Liz McColgan has been found not guilty of attacking her estranged husband.

A further charge of breach of the peace against her was dropped.

The 47-year-old track legend had been accused of repeatedly punching and prodding Peter McColgan, 48, at the house they shared on July 12, 2011.

Mr McColgan told the court his wife punched him in the face after she had received a letter from his solicitor saying the family home would be sold if they divorced.

Mrs McColgan denied the charges against her and was cleared at Arbroath Sheriff Court.

She married Peter McColgan, himself a steeplechaser from Northern Ireland, in 1987 and the pair have five children.

The pair split, amicably, last year but had been staying in the family home in Carnoustie, from which they also run a health club.

Speaking outside court after the not guilty verdict was delivered, she said: "This has been a really hard six months.

"I've had a very, very tough life with Peter McColgan, it hasn't been easy and nobody knows the true story of it and today's just proved I'm on the way to a new life now."

She added: "I'm totally free of someone who has tried to control everything that I've done and I'm just glad that the judge saw sense today.

"I am very emotional but I think for Peter to hide behind an assault charge, there are men out there that are actually sitting in that position with women who are beating them up.

"And I think it's so cruel of him to use such a lame excuse and to try and ruin me by pretending there was an incident which happened in my house.

"My only regret is that my children have been affected from this."

She said: "I'm a good mother," and added she now wanted to move on with her life.

Mrs McColgan is one of the biggest names in British athletics, having won Commonwealth Gold in the 10,000 metres at the 1986 and 1990 Games, and silver in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

She also won the gold medal at the 1991 World Championships.