A former soldier from Perth man has been jailed for an “unpleasant and aggressive” stalking campaign.
John Carter’s weird behaviour included leaving a broken bike on his victim’s lawn as a “gift”.
The 52-year-old tormented the woman for more than half a year by showing up to her house uninvited, leaving her sexually aggressive letters and approaching her in a pub, while on bail.
Carter has a string of previous convictions for crimes involving domestic abuse and drugs.
Sinister events in Christmas season
Depute fiscal Andrew Harding told Perth Sheriff Court the complainer was known to the accused and they had met twice in September 2020.
In October, he appeared at her house and had to be removed by police, although a formal complaint was not made against him.
He returned the next month and neighbours saw him shouting in the garden.
The woman again declined to make a complaint.
However, Mr Harding continued:Â “On December 27 Carter turned up at her house intoxicated.
“On December 29, the complainer was going through her mail when she found a red envelope with a letter signed JC.
“The letter called her a ‘slut’ and claimed she had a sexually transmitted infection.”
Continuing abuse
Mr Harding outlined further events involving the former Black Watch soldier.
“On March 28 the complainer went to her bed as normal.
“She awoke on the morning of March 29 to find a mountain bike in her garden.”
The court heard there was a note on the bike, which said she should pay for new parts which had worn or gone missing from the bike.
Mr Harding continued: “In October 2021, Carter contacted police to say he was concerned about his ‘girlfriend’.
“He was abusive to police staff.
“He boarded a train from Inverness to Perth, there was a dispute on board.
“Police were waiting for him at Perth station.
“He swore at police and threatened to hurt them.
“On October 16, Carter’s complainer went to the Grill Bar in Perth for a drink.
“After returning from having a cigarette she saw Carter in the bar.”
At this point, the court heard, Carter was under strict bail conditions not to contact or approach the woman.
Jailed
Defence solicitor Pauline Cullerton, in mitigation for Carter, said: “Prior to this admission, his last conviction was in 2019.
“He admits he did send gifts.
“At the time he was not mentally well.
“He is unable to recall the incident at the train station with police.”
Sheriff Rory Bannerman, sentencing to Carter to 144 days in prison, said: “This was an extremely concerning course of conduct.
“It was apparent from the beginning the complainer wanted nothing to do with you.
“I find it wholly inappropriate that a financial penalty could be imposed for this matter.
“You were told you were on bail and this was a lady you were to stay away from.
“She must have been terrified.”
Carter, of East Methven Street, Perth, was sent to prison for 144 days.
He was admonished for threatening a police officer.
He admitted between September 13 2020 and April 1 2021 engaging in a course of conduct likely to cause fear and alarm to his victim by stalking her.
