A man who became obsessed with his young female neighbour was ordered to stay away from his victim for at least two years after admitting stalking her.
Christopher Stevenson, 43, of 24 Tannery Court, Inverness had originally denied the course of conduct involving repeatedly sending Lisa Wright, 24, notes and shouting abuse and swearing at her from March, 2014 to December that year.
He had also been accused of threatening to rape her but that allegation was dropped when he changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge during the trial at Inverness Sheriff Court in February.
Sentence was deferred for a background report and yesterday Stevenson appeared before Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood.
Defence lawyer Rory Gowans said that his client had not been in any further trouble.
“He says he does not have a problem with alcohol and his victim said he was nice most of the time except when he got drunk. He wishes to apologise to the lady.” Mr Gowans added.
Sheriff Fleetwood commented: “According to the report, everyone thinks that he does have a problem with alcohol except Mr Stevenson himself.”
Fiscal depute David Morton asked the Sheriff for a two year non harassment order (NHO) to be imposed.
Mr Gowans confirmed that his client would not object to this as he had no intention of attempting to see Miss Wright again.
The Sheriff granted the NHO and placed Stevenson under social work supervision for a year. He added: “You will have to participate in any programme that they see fit.”
Stevenson had denied engaging in a course of conduct which placed Miss Wright, who then lived at no 21 Tannery Court, in a state of fear and alarm.
But he changed his plea mid-trial and admitted he repeatedly put notes of an abusive nature through her door, one saying that he loved her, and that he went to her door uninvited shouting and swearing at a married friend of hers and accused him of having a sexual relationship with her.
