The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Ex-boyfriend could not get over break-up
Ajilted man who refused to accept his relationship was over repeatedly followed his ex and was even caught lurking on the roof of her home.
David Johnston hounded her with texts and calls and was often seen around her Peterhead home.
After their three-year relationship came to an end last summer Johnston became obsessed with wanting to find out if his ex was involved with other men, Peterhead Sheriff Court was told.
The 39-year-old was regularly seen outside the woman’s home and work and in August 2021 was even seen on her roof.
Fiscal depute Dylan Middleton said Johnston was heard padding about at 3am.
“He was observed from her window and appeared to jump from the roof and run away.
“That morning he was contacted and asked if he had been on the roof and he admitted he had.”
The court heard of a further argument in October 2021 during which Johnston grabbed the woman’s phone. A month later another incident occurred where Johnston had to be moved on from the woman’s home again, this time by her father.
In December he was bothering the woman again, this time following her in her car on the A90 near Peterhead until she pulled over into a side road where he overtook her, scraped his car along hers, shouted at her and tried to jump into her vehicle.
“The complainer was afraid and called her dad for help,” the fiscal added. “When he arrived he found the accused shouting at her through the window. He said he wasn’t going to hurt her and would pay for the damage to her car.”
Johnston later told police: “I just wanted to speak to her. I shouldn’t have dunted her.”
He also admitted to police he’d repeatedly called and texted and attended at her home.
Matters came to a head in January when Johnston heard that his ex was now in a new relationship.
He sent her text messages naming that man and adding: “How embarrassing. Absolute sleazy drip.”
“The complainer said she felt genuine fear about seeing the accused,” the fiscal added.
Johnston admitted engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his ex-partner.
His defence agent Marianne Milligan said he was being “picked up and dropped” by the woman and had gotten “mixed messages”.
Mrs Milligan added: “They had been in a relationship for three years. When it ended he struggled to accept this.
“He advises me he was getting mixed messages. He accepts his conduct was unacceptable and he doesn’t know why he acted in such a manner.”
She said Johnston had not been coping and had been drinking more, struggling with his mental health.
Sheriff Christine McCrossan deferred sentence on Johnston, of Wards of Boyndlie, Fraserburgh, for six months to allow him to be of good behaviour and for reports and a curfew assessment.