Man denies he stalked woman

34-year-old accused of entering unoccupied home and texting

A Hamilton man has denied stalking a woman over a twomonth period in which he is alleged to have entered her home while unoccupied and sat in her living room with the lights out.

John Joseph Terry, of Whitehill Road, last week pleaded not guilty to a charge contrary to the Criminal Justice and Licensing Scotland Act 2010 between November 1, 2016, and January 2 this year.

The 34-year-old is alleged to have engaged in a course of conduct which caused Michelle Houston fear and alarm.

Terry is said to have repeatedly asked Ms Houston to go out with him and repeatedly attempted to be in her company.

The charge also alleges that Terry repeatedly sent text messages to Ms Houston and repeatedly approached her and Debbie Mckenzie in an attempt to make contact with her.

He is further accused of going to Ms Houston’s Burnbank home and banging on her front door in a bid to speak to her and to have remained in the common close outside her front door for around 50 minutes despite being asked to leave by Ms Houston.

The charge also states that he had entered the house without permission when it was unoccupied and had sat in the living room with the lights out.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court last week, Sheriff Douglas Brown set the trial for October 31 with an intermediate diet of October 5. Bail was granted meantime.