Aitken ‘ stalker’ breached order ban
AWOMAN has been found guilty of breaching a nonharassment order not to approach Susan Aitken, t he leader of Glasgow City Council.
Amanda McCutcheon, 48, was also guilty of breaching an order not to enter Glasgow City Chambers.
McCutcheon had previous
ly been convicted of harassment against Ms Aitken in 2018 and was under an order not to enter the City Chambers or approach or attempt to approach Ms Aitken.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how McCutcheon turned up at the gatehouse of the City Chambers on September 23 this year asking to speak to Ms Aitken.
Gerard Stelmaszuk, a supervisor, said he was called to the gatehouse by a colleague on the radio.
He said: “I didn’t know her name at the time.”
He added: “She refused to give me her name. She was by herself standing with a small gym bag.
“She said she was here to speak to Susan Aitken. I told her most people were working from home and there was nobody here.”
Ian Meacock, prosecuting, asked if he knew who Susan Aitken was.
Mr Stelmaszuk said: “She is head of the council I’m sure. She is a councillor.”
He said McCutcheon asked for Ms Aitken’s number but he said:“I refused to hand it over.”
He said that he felt it strange that someone would turn up after 4.30pm to see a councillor.
He told the court he later found out from colleagues that there was a photo of McCutcheon in the City Chambers and she was not to enter the building.
The supervisor said McCutcheon was “rude” and said to him: “You’re just a daft supervisor. I’ll throw you about the place and turn you inside out.
“She said she wasn’t leaving until she got to speak to Susan Aitken.”
He said they the police.
He told the court: “She said she wasn’t leaving unless in handcuffs and said that she had packed a bag.”
Mr Meacock asked if he found out about any specific reason why she shouldn’t be in the building.
Mr Stelmaszuk said: “She was supposedly stalking Susan Aitken.”
PC Paul Lorenzetti told how he and a colleague answered a call to attend the City Chambers of someone refusing to leave.
He said when they arrived they found McCutcheon sitting inside the reception area.
He said: “When we asked why she wouldn’t leave she said she wanted a job, a house and access to see her children and she wasn’t leaving until this was done.”
The officer said they then ran checks on her details.
Mr Meacock asked if the checks found non- harassment orders.
PC Lorenzetti said: “There were two: not to enter the City Chambers and not to approach or attempt to approach Susan Aitken.” then called
The officer said she was taken to Govan Police Station and later charged with breaching the non- harassment orders.
PC Lorenzetti and PC Marco Mancini, also giving evidence, said when she was charged she put her fingers in her ears and refused to listen.
McCutcheon, who was representing herself in court, said: “I moved to Glasgow 20 years ago. All I’ve been trying to do is make my way out of poverty trying to get employment and make sure my family are looked after.
“I’m just trying to get support from people in high- profile jobs who can support me.
“One of those is Glasgow City Council who have staff in public service positions. I don’t believe I am breaking the law in attempting to get that support.”
Sheriff Daniel Kelly said he accepted the evidence heard was truthful and found her guilty. He deferred sentence for criminal justice and social work reports and a restriction of liberty order assessment.
The sheriff said she was to continue to be remanded in custody.
He said: “I consider there to be a substantial risk you would fail to comply with restrictions.”
Ms McCutcheon had said: “I’m aware I can’t approach Susan Aitken or Glasgow City Chambers.”