SCALES OF JUSTICE Woman banned for harassing staff at gallery

A WOMAN has been banned from entering Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art after harassing one of its employees.

Ellen Smith attended at the venue where her male victim worked between September 13, last year, and March 19.

During this time Smith, of Thomas Street in Alexandria, sent letters and gifts there before even- tually obtaining his mobile number and sending him texts.

Over the course of six months, the 59-year-old followed the man, found out home his address and attended there.

On another occasion she made enquiries with his neighbours in an attempt to obtain further information about him.

She began loitering at his home and posting letters and gifts through his letter box.

Smith appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to placing the man in a state of fear and alarm through her course of conduct.

The court heard how Smith had difficulty understanding how her behaviour was inappropriate but now appreciates how it impacted her victim. Her defence agent said that Smith, who is deaf, had become isolated because of her disability and lack of formal education.

Sheriff Divers accepted the Crown’s proposal for a non-harassment order restricting Smith from entering the GOMA or the street her victim lives on, contacting him or his son for three years.