Runner Liz McColgan charged with 'repeatedly punching husband and throwing his clothes out the window'

Distance runner Liz McColgan appeared in court yesterday accused of attacking her estranged husband before hurling his clothes out of a window.

The 47-year-old answered charges that she repeatedly punched Peter McColgan’s head and body.

The alleged assault came just eight months after McColgan announced the couple were to split ‘amicably’.

Liz McColgan, pictured with her husband Peter, is accused of attacking him at their home last month

The track star – a former World Champion and Commonwealth gold medal winner – is also accused of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm.

Prosecutors say she shouted repeatedly before throwing Mr McColgan’s clothes down the stairs of the home they share.

She is then alleged to have thrown his clothes out of the window. McColgan, from Panbride, near Carnoustie in Angus, Scotland, denies the charges, said to have been committed on July 12.

Wearing grey trousers and a dark top, she spoke only to confirm her name during the minute-long hearing at Arbroath Sheriff Court.

Defence lawyer Gary McIlravey asked the court to release her ahead of a trial without the requirement to be on bail.

Accused: Athlete Liz McColgan arrives at Arbroath Sheriff Court yesterday

The trial was to be set for November 10, but Mr McIlravey said: ‘I’m told she has a charity event in New York on that date and wouldn’t be able to attend here.’

Sheriff Derek Pyle instead ordered McColgan to stand trial on November 21.

The athlete will also have to attend a pre-trial hearing on November 1.

An employee at the Liz McColgan Health Club & Physiotherapy Centre, based at the couple’s home, said Mr McColgan would not be commenting.

McColgan – then Liz Lynch – took home Commonwealth gold at the 1986 games in Edinburgh and Olympic silver in the 1988 Seoul Games, both in the 10,000 metres.

Success: McColgan's finest hour came at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, where she won gold in the 10,000m

Medal: McColgan was awarded the MBE as well as being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year

She went on to win gold in the same event at the 1991 World Championships.

The athlete repeated her Commonwealth success in the 1990 Auckland Games – landing another gold. She was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1991, and made an MBE a year later.

McColgan married Irish steeplechaser Peter in 1987 and they have five children.

Speaking in November of their marriage breakdown, she said: ‘It is an amicable split and we are working things out for our children. We are both still living in the marital home ... but we are a separated couple and plan to divorce.’