A CLACKS man is facing jail after concealing himself in bushes, hiding alongside country lanes and beside footpaths and cycle tracks, and jumping out and following women.

Several of his victims were out taking their coronavirus daily exercise during the height of the pandemic last year.

Mark Russell, 33, pleaded guilty to nine offences when he appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, October 14.

He admitted pursuing nine women who were out for country walks at different spots near the Ochils Hills.

A tenth woman was running alone on a country road near the early 19th century Linn Mill Bridge, which spans a deep gorge over the Black Devon, when Russell, who had concealed himself at the side of the road, "jumped out" at her.

All the women are said to have been frightened and alarmed by Russell's actions.

Russell, of Dollar, admitted eight charges of statutory breach of the peace and a ninth charge of breaching an undertaking to stay away from cycle paths, nature trails or "secluded areas that could be construed as popular walking routes by the public", by concealing himself in bushes on an old railway line now part of the West Fife Way cycle route from Clackmannan to Dunfermline and "staring" at women walkers.

The court heard that Russell had "stepped out" or "jumped out" of hiding places when women passed him, then pursued them, maintaining "an unnecessarily close proximity".

In several instances, he admitted "knowingly failing to observe government Covid-19 social distancing guidelines".

Russell's behaviour went on for nearly six months, between November 21, 2019, and May 7, 2020.

He lurked around many parts of the county, including the Devon Way cycle path between Dollar and Tillicoultry; the rural Back Road, Alva; Back Road, Menstrie; and a public footpath near Harviestoun Home Farm, Dollar.

Sheriff Neil Bowie continued bail and deferred sentence for reports until November 18, when prosecutors will outline the full facts of the case.

Solicitor Erin Monaghan, for Russell, said the defence had commissioned a psychiatric assessment of her client.

She said "it could be argued" that there was no significant sexual element to Russell's offending, which if successfully established by the defence, would mean Russell would not be added to the sex offenders' register.

Sheriff Bowie said: "Submissions can be made in respect of that at the next hearing."