A MAN accused of plundering his estranged wife's critical illness money to pay off large gambling debts was sharing the marital home with another woman while his spouse was battling cancer, a trial has heard.

Russell Laing is said to have conducted a campaign of abusive, coercive and controlling behaviour against his senior police officer wife in Inverclyde and elsewhere during their 19-year marriage.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard that the alleged victim went to the marital home in Quarriers Village after she was diagnosed with breast cancer to find businessman Laing sharing the property with another female.

A defence lawyer put it to the serving police officer, who is seconded to Interpol in France, that she was 'livid' at the discovery.

The witness replied: "I wasn't livid but I was very surprised about it. 

"I was angry that I hadn't been told about it. 

"Someone was living in my house while I was sleeping in my mum and dad's spare room while I had significant health issues. 

"I discovered from a conversation that she had her own property, so I couldn't understand why she had moved into my house. 

"I thought what he had done was unacceptable."

Accused Laing claimed he could see his wife's personal bank account details when he logged into his own online banking app, the court heard.

It is alleged that he used her money to clear £40,000 worth of gambling debts.

Asked about him having access to her account, the witness, 50, responded: "He shouldn't have been able to do that. 

"I would challenge that's the case and would be very worried if that is still the case.

"I contacted the bank towards the end of 2019 into 2020 as I wanted to speak to them about what could be done to prevent the access, as he had questioned withdrawals from it."

The defence lawyer suggested that his client was also allowed access to the woman's email account.

She replied: "He asked if had applied for a job in France and I asked, 'How do you know?'.

"It became apparent that he had discovered an email in the deleted emails folder of my email account."

READ MORE: Abuse accused 'used wife's critical illness cash to clear debts'

The woman told the court: "What he was doing was criminal and had to stop. 

"By that point there was no trust left. 

"He is a pathological liar which has been proven."

The lawyer suggested that on another occasion the alleged victim's sister called Laing a 'lunatic', said he had 'mental health issues', and that 'he should come with a health warning'. 

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The solicitor put it to her that she had made the decision to leave the marriage long before telling her husband. 

The woman replied: "I didn't have a choice. 

"I was on my knees and was considering that as a real option. 

"It's a huge decision for anyone to make and the hardest thing I've ever had to do. 

"I would have done anything to try to save the marriage. 

"I told him that I couldn't cope any more and all I was doing was considering options.

"I didn't know whether I was coming or going.

"I didn't want to leave the marriage and I don't want to be standing here doing this." 

The trial, before Sheriff James Varney, continues.