A man who waged a month-long campaign of terror against his Angus ex-girlfriend narrowly escaped jail on Thursday.
After their three-week relationship ended, jilted Gary Hill bombarded the woman with texts and phone calls, some sinister and threatening in nature.
The barrage of messages left the victim frightened to leave her home, which Hill also visited in the early hours of one morning in a desperate bid to rekindle the romance.
Appearing before Sheriff Kevin Veal at Forfar yesterday, Hill, of Park Avenue, Dundee, admitted that between November 2 and 29 last year, at his home and an address in Yeaman Street, Forfar, he acted in a threatening and intimidating manner by engaging in conduct which caused the woman fear and alarm by sending text messages, repeatedly telephoning her and contacting her through Facebook, repeatedly threatening her with violence and threatening to damage her property.
The court heard the pair had only been a couple for around three weeks and, when the relationship ended, Hill’s harassment began.
In the first incident, he turned up at the woman’s home around 3.30am on November 2 when she was woken up by loud banging on the door.
She let Hill in to avoid him waking the neighbours, but the accused became agitated and told her she would “get what was coming to her”. She then told Hill to get out and called the police.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident the woman received a number of apologetic texts, but the court heard she was then subjected to countless messages and phone calls, ranging from apologies to blackmail and threats.
In one, Hill told her: “I’m slitting my throat and if you have been with anyone it will be the last thing you do.”
Police stayed in contact with the complainer on a regular basis and when the extent of the campaign became apparent, Hill was arrested.
He admitted persistently texting her, saying that he had been upset, but denied sending threats.
Defence agent Gary McIlravey said: “When this young man is sober he is a perfectly polite and pleasant individual.
“However, when he drinks be becomes someone different.”
He said Hill had experienced mental health issues and a history of alcohol abuse.
“The relationship was relatively short and Mr Hill was devastated by it coming to an end. It was not in his mind at any time to abuse or upset the young lady.
“Since the date of this offence he has abstained from alcohol. Quite frankly he is appalled at his own behaviour. He knows he is in a very dangerous situation.”
Sheriff Veal said: “What worries me is the effect on the complainer she had a month of sheer terror.
“The number of calls was horrendous and yet he comes here and says ‘I’m off the drink’ so it’s alright.
“On one view this course of conduct would merit immediate custody, but I am aware he has made significant progress.”
The sheriff imposed a 12-month community payback order on Hill, with requirements to undertake anger management and alcohol counselling and a condition that he does not contact the woman in any way.