A north-east man could be jailed again after e-mailing a woman he was ordered to stay away from.
Michael Gray had been in a relationship with Jill Rush for 20 years but they split up in acrimonious circumstances and he began stalking her.
He was later convicted of an act of wilful fireraising against her and jailed for 22 months.
Gray was ordered not to approach his former partner when he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court in May 2016.
Police visited his home on King Street on the morning of May 29 this year and asked to check his phone as part of the non-harassment order.
Upon doing so they discovered a set of e-mails sent to Miss Rush over a seven-day period earlier that month.
The 57-year-old was detained by police and admitted the offence during an appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Fiscal depute Lixia Sun said Miss Rush had not complained about the matter and that Gray had been caught by the police.
Representing him, defence agent Gail Goodfellow said the messages had started off being pleasant.
She said: “They were in a relationship for 20 years. She ended the relationship five years ago and he had difficulty coming to terms with that.
“He had worked through the entire relationship and had financially supporter her and her children.
“She came by an inheritance and felt she no longer needed him. He also thought she had been unfaithful.”
She said while alone and after drinking her client had gone on to send unpleasant messages.
Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence on Gray in order to obtain reports.
He said: “I have to say this is a serious matter because of the underlying case and non-harassment order.
“It would be right to say that a custodial sentence might be a prospect.”
He added: “A significant aspect of this case is that the lady concerned did not complain to the police.”
Gray will return to court next month to be sentenced.
