Teenager sent cruel messages to schoolgirl

An 18-year-old Perth youth subjected a schoolgirl to seven months of repeated abuse, sending her a series of foul-mouthed and threatening messages via social media.

On one occasion, Colin Gillies argued with the 17-year-old after he had been drinking Buckfast.

As she made her way back to school, she received a message saying he was “going to kill himself and was on nearby train tracks”.

The police were alerted and they found the girl trying to persuade him to come off the railway line, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

In some of the messages Gillies called her “an unwanted piece of sh**”and referred to her as a“fat slag.”

She tried to stop the harassment by blocking his number on a number of occasions.

In a further message, however, he said:“I love you,” followed by a picture of him crying.

That happened while he was subject to a court undertaking not to communicate with her.

When traced by police and cautioned and charged, he told police:“I was drunk.”

Depute fiscal Kristina Kelly said Gillies also went to the school of several occasions, despite being told by staff members to stay away.

In a separate incident on July 17, 2020, a female staff member received a telephone call from the accused shortly after midnight.

Gillies claimed he was “just round the corner”and threatened to smash the school windows before hanging up.

Alarmed staff then made sure the premises were secure.

In another telephone exchange, this time with a male teacher, the accused stated: “Come outside big man - I’m going to get a rock and smash you over the head.”

Gillies admitted that between October 4, 2019, and May 6, 2020, at the school, the Edinburgh Road branch of Tesco - and elsewhere - he engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive to the victim by repeatedly sending abusive and threatening messages.

Part of the charge which alleged that he shouted at her, smashed a mobile phone and threw stones at her was deleted.

He also flouted a court undertaking not to get in touch with her by repeatedly contacting her via social media platforms on June 3, 2020.

A third charge of making violent threats to school staff members on July 17, 2020, was also admitted.

Solicitor David Holmes, appearing for a Dundee-based agent, said Gillies had started an apprenticeship as a painter and decorator in Dundee.

The lawyer pointed out that Gillies had himself received a number of unkind messages from the victim.

Sheriff William Wood said: “It’s the persistence of your conduct which causes particular concern.”

But he noted the accused had only turned 17 when the abuse had begun.

He had no reason to doubt he had not also received abusive messages from the girl.

But he added: “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Sentence was deferred until July 30 and Gillies was ordered to stay out of further trouble.

An updated background report will be prepared and the sheriff will decide whether a Non-Harassment Order should be imposed.

Ms Kelly said the 17-year-old was in favour of such an order.

Bail conditions banning the accused from contacting or communicating with the girl remain in force meantime.