Jealous ex made woman’s life a misery

A jealous Perthshire man made his former partner’s life a misery as he bombarded her with more than 200 text and mobile phone messages in less than a month after their 13-year relationship came to an end.

Thirty-nine-year-old Richard Gall, of Myrtle Park, Blairgowrie, also continued to harass her by repeatedly turning up at her home, demanding entry.

And his actions took on a more sinister tone when he went the town’s Balmoral Inn - and kept watch on her house, Perth Sheriff Court was told this week.

The course of conduct, which took place between January 5 and February 1, 2018, in Balmoral Road and Boat Brae, Rattray, as well as Blairgowrie’s Wellmeadow, caused Elizabeth Jack“fear or alarm.”

The accused, who found it“difficult to cope”with the breakdown of the relationship, had a two-year Non-Harassment Order imposed when he appeared for sentence.

He will also have to complete 120 hours of unpaid work within the next six months.

In addition, he will be supervised by a social worker for the next two years and take part in a positive relationships group work programme.

Depute fiscal Alan Morrison said the relationship broke down towards the end of last year.

“During the week beginning January 5, he visited her home and began to question Miss Jack as to whether she was in a new relationship.

“Entry would be refused and the accused would eventually leave.”

The fiscal added: “He would thereafter re-attend at the house, banging on the door and demanding to be let in to check if there was another male.”

That pattern was repeated and police attended but he left after being warned about his conduct.

Between January 17 and 18, however, the accused sent 81 messages to Miss Jack by mobile telephone - and a further 61 were received between January 19 and 26.

She replied only once to these messages but became so alarmed she had her number blocked.

Between January 26 and February 1, however, 67 text messages were received.

Following a further visit to her home by Gall on February 1, he was traced and arrested by police.

Lawyer Kevin Lancaster said his client found the breakdown of the long-term relationship difficult to deal with and his actions had been compounded by him taking alcohol.

“He’s drinking significantly less than he was and has accepted the relationship is over,”he added.

Sheriff William Wood said that the custody was“clearly an option”but was prepared to impose the Non-Harassment Order, along with unpaid work.

Earlier this year, Gall was jailed for 50 days after he flouted a special bail condition an incredible 107 times by contacting his former partner to wish her happy birthday.