Spurned man followed wife

Threats after 28-year marriage ends

Sentence has been deferred on a Denny taxi driver who discreetly followed his wife around as he struggled to deal with the break up of their 28-year marriage.

John Cameron Dunn (59) loitered outside the woman’s place of work, monitored her movements, followed her from her workplace to her temporary home address and sent messages of an abusive nature.

The offences happened in Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan, at the Glassworks in Alloa and at various addresses in Denny between May 24 and 27.

Dunn, of Leith Place, also uttered threatening and abusive remarks about the woman to two men – and on June 12 breached court orders by approaching and contacting her.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard last week how the 33-year relationship ended four weeks prior to the incidents and Mrs Dunn moved to another address.

On May 23 she left her work in Alloa and went to an address in Bridge of Allan. When she learned that she had been followed by Dunn, she became upset and said she wanted nothing to do with him.

He then sent her a text of an abusive nature – calling her a ‘w **** ”.

The complainer went to the police office in Falkirk for advice as she felt her husband had been spying on her, and she provided a statement to police.

She said that rather than wanting action to be taken she was concerned about her husband’s mental state.

Police attended at Dunn’s home and he was detained.

Witnesses later spoken to by officers said that they had heard the accused making threats about the woman.

The court heard that at around 8.45pm on June 12 he showed up at an address on Leith Place wanting to speak to Mrs Dunne.

He banged on a window and handed his son some cash, his passport and a letter to his wife.

Defence solicitor Frazer McCready said that Dunn is simply a man who still loves his wife and just wants to see her.

He said: The letter [he handed over] was a letter of remorse.

“It’s a sad state of affairs that after a marriage of 28 years he finds himself in court.

“The explanation is that he loves his wife and wanted to see her, but she didn’t want to see him.

“The way the legislation is framed means that he ends up being charged under a Section 39.

He made threats but they were idle threats.

“He has suffered with mental health problems as a result of this, which has ended up with him in hospital.

“It’s attributed to the break-up and the stress he’s been under.

“He usually works as a taxi driver but has not been able to work as a result of this.

“He just needs to come to terms with the fact his marriage has ended. He is very remorseful.”

Sheriff William Gilchrist told him: “I am going to defer sentence to allow you to be of good behaviour.

“With regards the sale of the house, and the divorce – go to a lawyer.

“They can communicate with her but you can’t.”

The case has been continued for six months.

He needs to come to terms with the fact his marriage is ended