Man threatened to kill himself to get his ex's attention

On Thursday, Paul Brooks admitted engaging in a course of conduct that caused his former partner fear and alarm.

Between June 19 and August 31 last year, both dates inclusive at an address in Alloa's Thistle Street, the 47-year-old repeatedly sent unwanted text messages and refused to stop when he was asked to do so.

Fiscal depute Laura Knox told Alloa Sheriff Court that the couple had been in a relationship for seven months before the complainer sent a text breaking it off.

Over the course of two weeks, the accused sent over 100 messages.

Ms Knox said: "The content was along the same lines; asking for reconciliation, he told her that he loved her and wanted to get back together."

The complainer asked him to stop, but it continued.

On July 4, 2016, Brooks sent another text, but this time he threatened to hang himself. The complainer became distressed, so called him. As soon as the accused answered, he stated that his ex must still care about him or else she wouldn't have called. He asked her to take him back, but she hung up.

He did the same thing a few days later on July 7, but this time said he was going to overdose on pills. His ex called to check on him, but again hung up when he asked her to reconcile.

In total, Brooks sent 575 unwanted texts before his ex went to the police.

Defending, Miss Hendry claimed that her client had "considered taking his own life".

The accused, who was previously a soldier stationed in Ireland, was said to be speaking to a GP about his issues.

Miss Hendry stated that Brooks agreed that his behaviour was wholly unacceptable and has since accepted that the relationship is over.

It was confirmed that the accused, who was supported in court by a new girlfriend, had been of good behaviour since last September.

Sheriff J.K. Tierney sentenced Brooks, of Craig Avenue in Haddington, to a Community Payback Order with supervision for six months.

The sheriff also granted a Non-Harassment Order for 18 months in respect to the "sheer volume of messages" sent.