ALEX EDWARDS OF DUNFERMLINE FINED FOR STALKING AND ASSAULT

Former football star Alex Edwards has been issued a fine after admitting to engaging in stalking his former partner and assaulting a 76-year-old man outside her home.

The 75-year-old ex-Dunfermline and Hibs player had a relationship with the woman that lasted several months. Following their breakup, Edwards bombarded her with repeated phone calls. The woman later saw him peering through a window at her residence on an evening she was with a male friend.

When the man left the house, Edwards attacked him, accusing him of being in a relationship with his "ex." Edwards, who resides on Hilton Road in Cairneyhill, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court today (Wednesday) and pleaded guilty to the charges.

He admitted that between March 31 and May 22 in Cairneyhill, he engaged in actions that caused the woman to fear or be alarmed, including making numerous phone calls and peering through her window—an offence aggravated by the misuse of his ex-partner.

Additionally, Edwards admitted that on May 22, at Muirside Grove in Cairneyhill, he assaulted a man by hitting him and pushing him, which caused the man to fall and sustain injuries.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf told the court that Edwards and the woman had been together but ended their relationship in March. Following the breakup, Edwards repeatedly contacted her at various times throughout the day and night.

On the evening of May 22, at around 8:30 pm, the woman and her friend were at home when they observed Edwards outside. He approached a window and looked inside before knocking on the door. After he left, two hours later, the male friend left the house and was approached by Edwards, who began punching and pushing him, claiming he was in a relationship with Edwards’ ex.

Defense solicitor Stephen Morrison highlighted that Edwards was a first-time offender and had been married for 51 years until his wife’s death in 2019. Initially friends with the woman, they became romantically involved from November of the previous year until March.

Mr. Morrison explained that Edwards was in a highly emotional state following his wife’s passing and believed their relationship would be lasting. He was perplexed by its abrupt end just two weeks after receiving a birthday card from his partner that expressed strong positive feelings toward him.

The solicitor also noted that Edwards, a father of three and grandfather to six, felt embarrassed by the situation and the legal proceedings, stating he was "shattered by it all."

Sheriff Wyllie Robertson told Edwards that his actions were "clearly out of character given your previously unblemished record" and fined him £420.

Historically, Edwards was a notable figure at Dunfermline Athletic in the 1960s, making his debut shortly after turning 16 under the management of Jock Stein. He later played alongside renowned managers such as Alex Ferguson.

He was part of the team that defeated Valencia 6-2 and won the Scottish Cup in 1968, beating Hearts in the final. Edwards also transferred to Hibs, where he was part of the squad that beat Celtic 2-1 to secure the League Cup in 1972. He earned a single appearance for Scotland at the under-23 level before retiring from football in 1980.