A Fife stalker left candles at his ex-partner’s door and whispered to her at work he would “kill himself” if she did not speak to him.
Joseph Price, 39, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court and pled guilty to engaging in a course of conduct which caused the woman fear or alarm.
Price, of Main Street, Newmills, admitted repeatedly going to her home uninvited, leaving candles and various unwanted gifts at her front door, posting unwanted photos through her letterbox, texting her and leaving voicemails, and making threats to harm himself if she did not talk to him.
The offending took place between March 28 and May 1 this year at an address in Sherbrooke Road, Rosyth.
Unwanted presents
Procurator fiscal depute Rachel Barr told the court that Price and his victim, who were together for two years before separating, work for the same company and are based in the same building.
The fiscal said Price went to her home unannounced and left candles and small gifts at her door. He also sent voicemails stating where he left them.
He posted her photos of the two of them from their relationship.
Ms Barr said the woman told him to stop “numerous times” but he continued and spammed her phone with voicemails and no caller ID numbers, though she could identify his voice.
The fiscal said: “The accused would walk past the complainer at work and whisper words similar to the effect of ‘I am going to kill myself if you don’t talk to me'”.
Ordered to behave
The court heard that in late April he sent a voicemail containing another threat to self-harm.
Police were contacted and after being charged Price replied: “Can you just hurry up with this, please”.
Ms Barr said the woman has since been informed by mutual friends that Price now recognises his actions were wrong and has moved on with a new partner.
Defence lawyer Elaine Buist said Price, having since spoken to a GP and other professionals, has come to terms with the situation and wants the court to understand he takes full responsibility.
Ms Buist said the matter has not caused an issue at work.
Sheriff Charles Lugton deferred sentence on Price for four months for him to be of good behaviour, and special bail conditions will remain in place.
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