A terrified woman returned home from a trip to Poland to find her ex-partner had sneaked into her home and left his picture on her kitchen notice board.
George Taylor’s attempts to “win her back” had caused his victim fear and alarm, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.
Taylor, 33, of Western Ballindean, Inchture, had been due to go to trial but pled guilty on Tuesday.
He admitted that between July 8 and August 14 last year, he engaged in a course of conduct that caused his ex-partner fear and alarm by repeatedly sending texts and emails, telephoning and leaving her voicemails.
He also entered her Perth Road home and hung a picture on her wall.
Fiscal depute Mohammad Sadiq told the court how the pair had been due to marry after nine years together but she broke things off in April last year.
Afterwards Taylor moved out of the home they shared, and returned his key.
But the court heard he continued to barrage her with calls which she ignored until she eventually blocked his number on July 9. Mr Sadiq said the woman had returned from Poland on August 12: “As she opened the front door she immediately saw a picture on the wall of the accused and herself.
“This alarmed her instantly as she knows all of these had been taken down and thrown out. She knew that the accused had been within her home address without her consent.
“She left her home address straight away and headed for Glasgow as she did not feel safe to be in her home address or in Dundee.”
After the incident the woman unblocked Taylor’s number, in order to obtain evidence to take to the police.
When she did so, 365 text messages came through, all sent between July 10 and August 13.
Taylor’s defence agent said the parties were in a relationship for a long time and had previously separated and reconciled: “He hoped on this occasion it would be the same but that was not so.”
Sheriff John Rafferty said it was a “worrying episode” not uncommon when relationships end but told Taylor: “What you have done is clearly in excess of what the law permits.
“The fact you entered her home and left a photo is concerning. This was a totally misguided attempt to reconcile a relationship that was over.”
Taylor was sentenced to 90 hours of unpaid work in the community and given a six-month non-harassment order.