Outrage as millionaire who stalked two victims walks free
A MILLIONAIRE property developer who stalked two women and put one ‘through hell’ has been spared jail after a sheriff ruled he needed therapy for his obsessive behaviour.
David Bryson began relationships with Heather Munro and 32-yearold Ciara Nelson after contacting them through Facebook and dating websites.
The 41-year-old handed out gifts including a horse and Louis Vuitton handbag and purse for Miss Munro, and a £6,500 Rolex watch and a £20,000 Mini Cooper for Miss Nelson.
But police were called in after the relationships soured and Bryson, of Strathaven, Lanarkshire, embarked on a campaign of harassment.
He admitted stalking when he appeared in court in October and Sheriff Marie Smart warned him he faced prison – but at Hamilton Sheriff Court yesterday for sentencing, she told him ‘therapy is what you need’.
Last night, Bryson’s first stalking victim Miss Munro, 46, criticised the sentence.
She said: ‘He put me through hell. Before he was arrested in February he made me feel scared to leave my house for fear of him being there and following me everywhere.
‘I had to receive counselling because of the emotional abuse he put me through. He should have been jailed.
‘He’s a danger to women and I believe he will do it again.’
The court was told Bryson breached his bail conditions by contacting Miss Nelson from Tenerife after his October court appearance. She told police, who waited at Glasgow Airport for him to return – but he flew to Dublin and drove to Scotland to evade arrest.
A tip-off led officers to Glasgow’s plush Dakota Hotel, where he had checked in under a false name.
He was spotted on CCTV footage spending time with Miss Nelson and it emerged yesterday that they had rekindled their relationship.
Depute fiscal Wendy McAdam said Bryson sent messages to her from Tenerife.
She said: ‘There was nothing threatening in them but she found herself to be fearful of the accused’s continued obsessive behaviour towards her, and was in no doubt they were from the accused. They continued for some time and police were contacted. She was receiving other messages saying things like, “Why are the police looking for me and terrorising me?”.
‘She replied telling him that bail conditions meant he couldn’t contact her.
‘He told her, “Don’t you dare get me in any more trouble” and the phone calls continued, leading her to change her number.
‘The police then made extensive and unsuccessful attempts to trace the accused and it was found he had travelled to Tenerife.’
The court heard Bryson dodged police on his return from the Canary Islands and was caught only when they found he was staying in a hotel.
Miss McAdam said: ‘He was in the company of the complainer, Ciara Nelson, and it was obvious from CCTV the pair were in a relationship.’
Defence lawyer Gordon Jackson, QC, told Sheriff Smart: ‘The whole thing is strange.
‘You gave him a very, very clear indication on what he could and couldn’t do when he left here on bail.
‘He left court with your words ringing in his ears – although obviously not loud enough – and went to Tenerife to recuperate.
‘While he was there he became upset and contacted Miss Nelson again and sent her text messages.
‘There was never anything threatening or abusive and she simply asked him not to contact her.
‘They were in contact when he returned and they went to the hotel.
‘She now says she has no concerns about his behaviour and does not wish any kind of non-harassment order.
‘He does need help and she wishes to support him in getting that.
‘She is in court today to show that she supports him and wants to help.
‘Miss Munro has simply fallen off his radar.’
Sheriff Smart said: ‘Clearly, things have moved on dramatically since the last time you appeared and were granted bail.
‘You have had many stresses in your life that have made you act in this way.
‘Prison is not going to help you because when you come out you will be the same man, so therapy is what you need and you will need to get that in place.’
Bryson is due back in court in February for a progress report.
‘Scared to leave my house’