A CREEP who stalked a Clackmannanshire Council social worker for seven months has been spared a jail sentence.

Ronnie Hunter was found guilty last month after "frightening the life" out of his ex-partner after refusing the accept the end of their relationship.

The two had dated for three years, but after it ended the 56-year-old began driving from his Glasgow home and parking “almost daily” on the woman’s street in Bridge of Allan

When he was eventually questioned by police, Hunter, who was educated at Morrison’s Academy in Crieff, claimed that he was thinking about buying a house on her road.

The veteran international athlete – who has run for Scotland and Great Britain – also began training and coaching with a group based at nearby Stirling University in a bid to be close to her.

The terrified woman told a sheriff that Hunter’s actions had made her go for counselling.

Hunter, of Garnethill, Glasgow, had denied loitering "almost daily" near her home in Bridge of Allan between April and November last year (2017) and staring at her.

He was found guilty and ordered to return to Stirling Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.

Sheriff Simon Collins imposed 200 hours of unpaid work and banned him from entering Bridge of Allan for 18 months.

He rejected Hunter's lawyer's plea that Hunter should continue to be allowed to train on 1371 ft Dumyat Hill, a classic hill race venue, in the area.

He said: "Mr Hunter has all of Scotland to train in. He does not have to use this particular part of this particular town to do so."

Stephen Maguire, defending, said Hunter's career was now in question.

He said: "There are implications potentially in respect of his professional life and the fall out from that is yet to be clarified.

"There was a misreading and misunderstanding about [the complainer's] feelings."

During the trial, the woman said Hunter had "frightened the life out of her" and made her get counselling.

She said she couldn't understand why he was "still wandering round the streets" and "hanging about with a clipboard" near her home after they finished.

She said: "His car was in my street so often it was like another house being built. I was living on my nerves, falling apart. He just wouldn't go away.

"It got to the stage that I dreaded coming home."

Sheriff Collins said first-offender Hunter had "persisted in a serious offence over a number of months".

He said: "He has to stay away from this woman and the areas where she lives.

"In many such cases, a similar offence would require the court to pass a custodial sentence."

He said the sentence he imposed was a direct alternative to prison.

This week, the Chartered Banker Institute announced it had formally commenced disciplinary proceedings against Hunter.

Under its disciplinary regulations, all members are bound by its Code of Professional Conduct.

The regulations state: "A Disciplinary Breach by or in respect of a member occurs when criminal sanctions have been imposed on the member".

Asked how this would affect Hunter, Matthew Ball, the Institute's Head of Public Affairs, said: "Following the completion of court proceedings, we have started disciplinary proceedings and an independent disciplinary committee is being convened.

"We cannot comment further until the disciplinary proceedings have been concluded."