PERTHSHIRE MAN CONVICTED OF HARASSING EX-PARTNER WITH PENNY DEPOSITS AND WATER ATTACK
A Perthshire man has been convicted of harassing his former partner by repeatedly making penny deposits in her bank account so he could attach personal messages to them.Miles Westwood, 24, also admitted tipping a large bucket of cold water over the woman’s head while they were still in a relationship to stop her going out with friends.
Perth Sheriff Court heard Westwood continued to harass his former girlfriend for months after she dumped him and moved out of their caravan.
The court was told she had told him she did not want further contact and blocked him contacting her by phone after numerous unwanted calls.
It was then Westwood began depositing nominal amounts in the account as he knew she would have to read the attached messages.
Westwood made 31 deposits in a single day at the end of a six-month course of abusive behaviour.
The fiscal depute told the court: “The first incident was when she was preparing to go on a night out.
He did not wish this to happen.
“He repeatedly urged her not to go out.
He poured a large bucket of cold water over her after she made preparations to go out.
“This deliberately sabotaged her night out with friends.” The woman moved out and sent Westwood a text to tell him the relationship was over and that she wished to cease all contact.
The prosecutor said: “At first the accused was understanding but as time went on he began to bombard her with messages and calls.
“There were in excess of 40 messages.
She did not respond.
“He tried to call her numerous times.
He was also messaging her mother.
He came to the house and shouted her name several times.
She received multiple notifications to her Monzo bank account – several payments of one penny from an account in the accused’s name.
There were 31 transactions in total.
“Messages were attached for the purposes of getting her attention,” Mr.
Robertson said.
Westwood wrote: “Unblock me please.
Please forgive me.
You’re my life.” The relationship is over Westwood admitted engaging in a course of abusive behaviour by using derogatory language, drenching his partner in water, bombarding her with calls and sending bank transfers.
Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said: “There’s a degree of immaturity to all of this.
“This was his first long-term relationship, as it also was for the complainer.
“Not long after they moved in together there were difficulties.
The complainer was unable to work in the UK.
He was the sole income generator in the household.
“They were living in a caravan and he was working long hours.
He didn’t appreciate how lonely the complainer was while he was out working.
“Her mother was complaining that he should be purchasing a house and providing better accommodation.
“He felt under pressure.
It was an unhappy situation all round.
“He recognises they should have separated earlier.
The relationship is over.” Sheriff Paul Brown imposed six months supervision on Westwood and made him subject to a non-harassment order for the same period.
