Stalker caused alarm with over 600 calls to his former partner’s home

A man alarmed his former partner by calling her on the phone more than 600 times.

Stalker James Ross Cochrane had admitted engaging in a course of conduct which caused Avril Smyth fear and alarm at her Motherwell address between March 4 and April 18 this year.

The 65- year- old had made an excessive amount of calls to 55-yearold Ms Smyth, knowing that she did not want contact with him and posted a letter and a card through the letterbox of her home.

Cochrane’s solicitor Jason Stark told Sheriff Marie Smart at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week: “The complainer and Mr Cochrane’s relationship had come to an end, but Mr Cochrane struggled to accept that.”

The solicitor said Cochrane, of Arden Road, Hamilton, a first offender, realised the impact his actions had on the Mrs Smyth and wanted to put this matter behind him.

Mr Stark asked Sheriff Smart to consider Cochrane’s “age and good character”.

The lawyer added: “He now realises that the relationship with the complainer is at an end and will not have contact with the complainer.

“I’m asking you to deal with this matter today by a financial penalty.”

Sheriff Marie Smart told Cochrane it was “unfortunate a man of your age [was] appearing in court for the first time”.

She said the best way of dealing with the matter - and to ensure the relationship really is at an end - was to defer sentence on him for a year

Sheriff Smart told him a nonharrassment order was not necessary at this stage.

The sentence was deferred until July 28 next year. Cochrane’s bail was revoked and he was ordered to appear on that date.