A stalker used PayPal and seven fake phone numbers to bombard his ex-partner with messages and more than 80 calls per day.
Relentless Ian Adam created the fake numbers to get around his own number being blocked and used them to text and call the woman.
The 38-year-old even used PayPal to get in touch with his ex, sending her 10p with a message attached warning her he “won’t give up”.
The behaviour, which lasted for more than two months, was carried out at addresses in Aberdeen and elsewhere.
Fiscal depute Jennifer Pritchard told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the pair split in January this year, after around two years together.
Ms Pritchard said: “Since the end of the relationship, the complainer blocked the accused’s mobile number and social media accounts.
“She began to receive messages from not only the accused’s mobile but seven other numbers.”
The woman believed the messages were from her ex as they mentioned their relationship and talked about “rekindling” it.
‘He was doing this to get back at her’
Ms Pritchard said: “The complainer believed that the accused had downloaded a mobile phone app called Text Me, which allowed new phone numbers to be generated as this is an app they had previously discussed together.
“As well as text messages, the complainer received upwards of 80 calls a day from the accused, coming from the same numbers the text messages were coming from.”
The woman ignored most of the calls but did answer a few before swiftly hanging up when she heard Adam’s voice.
Adam’s messages to his ex included:
- “I won’t give up.”
- “Sitting ignoring me won’t make things better.”
- “Please, I’m begging you to stop this. It’s not fair. I’d never do this to you.”
- “I won’t go away.”
- “You can’t block withheld numbers forever.”
- “This Text Me app thing’s a good idea. Thanks for letting me know about it.”
Ms Pritchard said: “On January 29, the complainer received a payment through PayPal of 10p.
“With the transaction, there was also a message which stated ‘I can’t and won’t give up, please set me free’.”
‘Bombardment of messaging’
At this point, the woman contacted the police.
Adam, of Peterwell Road, Fyvie, admitted stalking the woman between December 1 and February 6.
Defence agent Liam Mcallister described the couple’s relationship as “toxic”, adding: “He deeply regrets that he acted in this way. He’s had a lot of time to reflect on his behaviour.
“His submission to the social worker is he was doing this really to get back at her for things that had happened in the past, but he was also struggling with his own mental health.
“He accepts there’s a bombardment of messaging.”
Mr Mcallister said Adam was now in a “stable, healthy and non-toxic” relationship.
Sheriff Eric Brown fined Adam £750 and ordered him to be supervised for a year.
He also imposed a five-year non-harassment order.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.
