A bad break-up and five months of “stalking” culminated in a Moray man attacking his ex’s car with a tin of beans, Elgin Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
Jamie Barclay, of 45 Manitoba Avenue in the town, admitted continually trying to contact his former partner, Lisa McWilliam, at her home and work between last September and February this year, before the incident last Sunday.
Fiscal depute Ruairidh McAlister told the court the pair’s two-year relationship ended in August last year, after which Ms McWilliam wanted to completely sever ties.
Unwilling to break contact, Barclay, 45, regularly visited her workplace at the Currys superstore on Edgar Road, Elgin.
Mr McAlister said: “The accused approached two of her colleagues one day and said, ‘Tell Lisa to give me the money she owes or her new boyfriend will get it.'”
On Saturday, Ms McWilliam left work in her car after finishing her shift and was stuck at red traffic lights on Edgar Road when she saw Barclay standing in front of her with his dog.
Mr McAlister added: “He let go of the dog’s lead and rushed towards the car before he threw a can of beans at her windscreen.
“She was in a state of fear. She reversed to get away from him. The accused ran towards the car and tried to grab the driver’s door. He threw himself at it again and tried to grab onto the car.”
Ms McWilliam reversed away and was described as crying and visibly upset when she reported the incident at Elgin police station.
Barclay’s defence solicitor Stephen Carty said the behaviour was very much out of character and that Barclay was dealing with “particular health problems” and receiving psychiatric treatment at Dr Gray’s Hospital.
Sheriff James Hendry said: “You have pled guilty to what is an allegation of stalking in layman’s terms. Clearly, your behaviour caused the some concern over a period of time and in fairness to you I think you acknowledge that.
“Your current health difficulties one way or another may have contributed to your thought process relating to this matter.
“In all the circumstances, I will defer sentence on you for six months.”
Barclay had his sentence deferred for good behaviour until December 17.
