MAN SPARED JAIL AFTER STALKING EX WITH UP TO 50 CALLS PER DAY
A STALKER who bombarded his ex with up to 50 phone calls a day after she broke off their relationship has been spared jail.But Martin Collins was warned by a judge that he faces a prison sentence if he doesn't comply with the strict conditions of a community-based punishment.
The 51-year-old repeatedly contacted the woman through phone calls, text messages and voicemails in Greenock and elsewhere between September 4 and November 13 last year.
Collins previously pleaded guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court to a charge of engaging in a course of conduct which caused her to suffer fear or alarm.
The sheriff presiding over the case deferred Collins' sentence to allow social workers time to prepare a background report on the Wishaw man.
And after considering what the social workers had to say about Collins' circumstances, Sheriff James Varney opted to spare him a prison term.
Collins, the court previously heard, had been in a relationship with the woman for several months before she ‘made it clear’ in early September of last year that she did not wish to have further contact with him.
Despite those instructions, Collins continued to call and text the woman on an almost daily basis.
She eventually reached a 'breaking point' on November 13 and reported her ex's behaviour to the police.
But Collins kept on pestering her - to the point that even as the woman was telling police about him and his behaviour, she received notifications on her phone indicating that Collins had left her yet more voicemail messages.
Police observed that on that day alone, Collins had made 50 calls to the woman’s mobile phone.
He was later traced by police at his home address, where he offered them the password for his own device.
During an interview under caution, Collins told officers: “I’m sorry for everything.
On Wednesday, Collins’ defence solicitor told the court her client had shown ‘remorse and regret’ for his behaviour during an interview with social workers.
She added: “His explanation of his behaviour was that, at the time, he was suffering from poor mental health.
While not an excuse, he was not in the right frame of mind.” Sheriff Varney placed Collins on a community payback order requiring him to complete 120 hours of unpaid work in 12 months.
He will also remain under the supervision of social workers until April 2026.
Informing Collins that the sentence was a direct alternative to custody, Sheriff Varney said: "Your behaviour during those months was completely unacceptable.
If you breach this order, I will send you to prison."
