Adulterer’s remorse after flying 5000 miles to steal friend’s wife

‘I destroyed their marriage. It should be me in the dock’

A man walked out on his family holiday in Florida to return to Scotland and rekindle an affair with his friend’s wife.

But he was left with a bloody head wound when the tryst was discovered.

Window cleaner Matthew Thomas flew 5,000 miles to the Argyllshire village of Strachur to see Suzanne Kelly, abandoning his wife and two kids.

But, just hours after the couple were reunited, the 32-year-old was hospitalised after being confronted by Suzanne’s husband.

Plumber Michael Kelly was arrested and charged with repeatedly hitting Thomas with a metal pipe, including a blow to the back of his head.

However, giving evidence at Dunoon Sheriff Court, repentant Thomas insisted it was he who should be on trial.

He said: “Nothing should happen to Michael. I am not the victim, I should be the accused. We would not be in this room if I had not done what I did.”

Thomas, who also has a handyman business, became friendly with the Kellys after they commissioned him to decorate the lounge and hall of their home. He would also travel once a month from his home in Lanark to clean their windows.

The trio grew close. Thomas often stayed overnight with the Kellys and attended family get-togethers.

But before long Thomas and mum-of-two Suzanne were having an affair, including secret meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

He told the court: “I destroyed their marriage. They did separate but Mike was willing to take Suzanne back. We both knew we had done wrong and tried to put things right. Suzanne wanted to go back to Mike and I understood that.”

But Thomas continued to see Suzanne, travelling several times a week to Strachur from Lanarkshire, even staying in a property owned by Michael Kelly.

On June 5 he arrived at Manchester Airport, having ditched his family in Florida a week into a 14-day break and travelled north to Argyll.

He said: “I was missing Suzanne and not getting on with my wife.”

The couple met in Strachur but were spotted by Michael Kelly. Thomas claimed the pair clashed and he was battered with a pipe on the back of the head.

He told the court: “When Michael confronted me I said I was sorry, but he said I wasn’t. He went to hit me with the bar, but fell on the floor.

“I could have stopped him, but I didn’t. He got back on his feet and went to hit me again. I put my left hand to shield myself. He hit me, but I didn’t really feel anything.

“I grabbed the bar, but I let go and he hit me one more time on the back of the head.”

Thomas was left with a 9cm gash.

He added: “What I have done is horrendous. I should be in the dock where Michael is. Michael did what any man would have done, perhaps it went a little too far. But it shows how hurt he was.”

Kelly denied battering Thomas with the pipe, although admitted he had gone to ask why he was having a relationship with his wife.

He said: “I slipped as I made my way towards him. It was wet. Matt moved forward, he slipped as well and went down, hitting his head hard.

“As we both tried to get up, we slipped again.”

The jury found the charge against Kelly not proven.

His solicitor Ruben Murdanaigum said: “Like any other accused, Mr Kelly is innocent until proven guilty.

“This has been hanging over him, and he will be delighted to put it behind him and get on with his life.”