Stalker used hidden phone in ‘sinister’ bid to track his ex partner

COURT: Fife man who put mobile in woman’s car to keep tabs on her placed on sex offenders register

A stalker who tracked his former partner’s movements by hiding a mobile phone in her car has been placed on the sex offenders register.

Mark Newsome appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday when he was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

The 46-year-old previously admitted hounding the woman at an address in Upper Largo and tracking her to an Asda branch in Kirkcaldy between November 2017 and April 2018.

The stalker also admitted looking through her personal communication device and taking screenshots of private conversations on it.

And Newsome repeatedly sent text and social media messages to the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He also threatened to disclose sensitive information about her to her employer.

The Anstruther man went on to conceal a mobile in her car and tracked her whereabouts before sending chilling

“He doesn’t understand why he did it other than as a result of the relationship breakdown. DOUGLAS MCCONNELL

messages, telling her he knew where she was.

He also admitted taking a photograph of her drying herself as she came out of the shower between February 2017 and April 2018.

Newsome’s defence solicitor, Douglas McConnell, told the court his client’s behaviour was “completely out of character” and he had been “open and honest” with his employers.

Mr McConnell said: “He doesn’t understand why he did it other than as a result of the relationship breakdown.

“He was very honest during his police interview and essentially said ‘This is what I did and this is how I did it’.

“He is still in employment in a good job which he cares about.

“He has been open and honest with them since his police interview.”

In sentencing, Sheriff James Williamson remarked: “This was a sophisticated effort and exercise on your part. These are serious matters.

“Often these offences are committed by people who stumble into it. But you on the other hand have given this some thought. It was sustained and quite sinister.

“I’m going to impose a community payback order to be completed in a period of 12 months.

“During that time, you will attend whatever courses that are appropriate and you will also undertake 180 hours of unpaid work.”

Newsome, of Milton Crescent, was also placed on the sex offenders register for 12 months.

Mark Newsome, of Anstruther, pleaded guilty to stalking and voyeurism offences against a former partner at an address in Upper Largo.