Spurned ex bombarded his former partner with messages after split
Dad sent texts and video when relationship ended
A man who admitted “stalking” his ex-partner by bombarding her with unwanted texts and a video message has been shown leniency by a sheriff.
David Clark, 43, fired off 28 texts and one moving clip to Kimberley Cooper in five days which caused her “fear and alarm.”
Paisley Sheriff Court heard Clark, and Ms Cooper, who lived together in Renfrew for six years and have one child, split in December last year.
However, he was unable to get over their separation and continued to send her the flurry of messages in January.
The court was told the messages were “not offensive” but he was so persistent that his ex-partner felt compelled to report him to the police.
The video message he sent showed him walking in a park with his granddaughter.
He appeared for sentencing after pleading guilty to a charge of engaging in a course of conduct which caused Ms Cooper fear and alarm by repeatedly sending her text messages and a video, during dates January 16 and January 20, 2021.
His defence agent urged the court to defer sentencing for background reports to see whether he is suitable for a project which tackles domestic abuse.
She said: “He pleaded guilty to the charge at trial and he accepts the relationship is over.
“And he has had no contact with his ex-partner since these events.
“I would ask the court to consider deferring sentencing him so that he could undergo an assessment for inclusion in the Caldeonia Project.”
She added Clark, who now stays in Govan, and recently landed a job as a labourer, would be willing to comply with the court’s instructions.
She said: “He has had a Non Harrassment Order ( NHO) explained to him.
“But the court may wish the information contained in the background report before deciding whether to grant one.”
Sheriff Kooner told him: “Due to the circumstances and nature of the charge, I think it is appropriate to defer sentence for your assessment for the Caledonia Project, so that the assessment can take place. I will continue the matter.
“Take the opportunity of cooperating with this report and do not miss any appointments.”
Clark was ordered back to court on June 10.
Sheriff Kooner added she would consider whether to hand him an NHO on that date.