A HALLOWE'EN-obsessed offender who approached children at a primary school while wearing a horror mask, and stalked a woman while dressed in a "sinister costume", is to face a psychological examination.

Robert Hanley turned up at the Alloa school, wearing a Hallowe'en horror mask and black gloves, even though it was actually a summer's day.

The incident, which was dealt with at Alloa Sheriff Court last Thursday, September 8, took place on June 11, 2022.

He approached a group of children there, repeatedly bashed his head against the school windows, and seized a 15-year-old boy by the neck.

The court heard that 10 days earlier – also while in possession of a Hallowe'en horror mask formally described in court papers as "sinister" – he repeatedly posted "notes of admiration" through the letterbox of the woman, a neighbour of his, despite what the prosecution called "repeated instructions that he desist from such unwarranted behaviour".

Hanley, appearing by video link from Low Moss Prison, pleaded guilty to assaulting the teenager at the school, and committing a statutory breach of the peace by acting in an aggressive and intimidating manner there.

An allegation that he had "gestured as if he was in possession of a weapon" at the school was dropped by the prosecution.

The 49-year-old, of Sunnyside Road, Alloa, also admitted that he stalked his neighbour, between August 1, 2021, and August 15, 2022 .

The court heard he had caused her fear and alarm by "attending at her house uninvited, at all hours of the day and night, on some occasions letting himself in knowing he was not welcome".

He also stood outside her house, on some occasions dressed in what was described as "a sinister Hallowe'en horror costume", acting in an aggressive and intimidating manner, shouting, swearing, making offensive remarks to the woman, and making offensive hand gestures.

He was at large on two bail orders at the time.

Sheriff Robert Carr said he wanted Hanley examined by a psychologist accredited by Scotland's Risk Management Authority as a risk assessor to provide a full report on the dangers he presents – and how such risks can be addressed.

He said: "I think any sentencing judge looking at this matter in the round is going to need that kind of information."

Solicitor Mike Lowie, defending, said the public and Hanley would benefit from an assessment.

He made no application for bail.

The sheriff deferred sentence until October 13 for the risk assessor's report, and said that a full narration of the facts by the procurator fiscal could wait until then.

Continuing Hanley's remand in prison, he added: "Can I say that it seems to me that Mr Hanley is in the right place in relation to the carrying out of such a report, having regard to the background history."