CONTROLLING EX-BOYFRIEND SENTENCED FOR HARASSMENT AFTER BIZARRE VALENTINE’S DAY INCIDENT
A man identified as Gareth Roberts, from Langstane Place, Elgin, was involved in a controlling and harassing conduct toward his ex-partner.He bombarded her with over 200 messages and calls following their breakup in January of that year.
His behavior included creating multiple fake Facebook profiles—at least three under different names—aimed at sending messages to his former lover.
During a notable incident around Valentine’s Day, Roberts appeared uninvited at her home, wearing only boxer shorts, a bow tie, and carrying an Ann Summers gift bag, asking if she would let him back in and when they would reconcile.
Despite her repeated requests for him to leave and to cease contact, Roberts persisted, ignoring her pleas and continued to harass her through calls and messages that ranged from friendly to abusive and insulting.
He admitted to engaging in abusive and harassing behavior involving sending her numerous messages after being charged on May 5 and breaching a non-harassment order.
The court heard that Roberts’s actions were misguided attempts to rekindle their relationship, as he believed it was not truly over.
His defense acknowledged this, and the court ultimately sentenced him to a community payback order with supervision for a year and imposed a non-harassment order for three years.
Sheriff Robert McDonald emphasized the gravity of his continued contact despite clear directives for no further communication, stating that supervision would serve both societal and personal benefit.
The court's decision reflected the seriousness of his conduct and the need to protect the victim from further harassment.
