Sentence deferred on millionaire stalker

A millionaire property developer who admitted harassing two women was spared Christmas behind bars – after one of his victims made a last-minute plea on his behalf.

David Bryson, 41, from Strathaven, began relationships with Heather Munro, 47, and Ciara Nelson, 32, after contacting them through Facebook and dating websites.

But Bryson, who had lavished expensive gifts on his partners including a Rolex watch and a horse, then began harassing and stalking the women once they ended the relationships.

He previously admitted stalking the women at various locations between February and October this year.

But at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday he walked free and sentence was further deferred to allow him to seek counselling.

In a statement via his QC, Ms Nelson said she has never“felt threatened in any way”and wanted to help and support Bryson through therapy for his relationship and psychological issues.

Bryson dated Heather, who returned his lavish gifts, for several months but became increasingly possessive and abusive after she tried to end the relationship.

He launched a volley of abuse towards her, branding her a‘bitch’, a ‘cow’and‘a waste of time’and also threatened suicide.

Bryson told her:“Once you are in you can’t get out”, and that he“always got revenge”.

Bryson appeared from custody after breaching his bail the day after his sentence was deferred on October 27.

The court heard he flew to Tenerife following the court hearing.

But despite being told under no circumstances could he contact either of his victims, he repeatedly began texting and calling Ms Nelson who eventually changed her phone number and contacted police.

Officers were waiting at the airport for Bryson to return on November 13.

However, instead of getting on the flight he booked, he flew to Dublin and travelled the remainder of the journey by car to possibly“avoid detection”.

The fiscal went on to explain business associates of the millionaire made arrangements for him to stay at the Dakota Hotel in Glasgow instead of returning to his Strathaven home.

When police eventually tracked him down to the hotel, he was with Ms Nelson, who was staying with him.

The fiscal added: “It was obvious the couple were in a relationship and were warm and tactile with each other.”

Sheriff Marie Smart then further deferred sentence until February 16, 2017.