VETERAN BOMBARDED EX WITH CALLS AND TEXTS
A former soldier admitted a stalking charge after approaching his ex and her children at the Ayr show and then bombarding her with calls and messages.Paul Greenwood admitted to engaging in a campaign of conduct that caused fear and distress across multiple locations in Ayr.
The 31-year-old, residing on Duke Terrace in Ayr, pleaded guilty to staring at the woman, approaching her, attempting to hug her children, and repeatedly phoning, messaging, and leaving voicemails for her between September 5 and 8, 2025.
He also acknowledged attending her home, a charge which was aggravated due to the abuse of a former partner.
According to Ayr Sheriff Court, the woman's relationship with Greenwood had ended in October 2024.
They had no children together, but she had children from previous relationships.
On the day in question, she received a text message asking if she planned to attend the air show with him.
Although she intended to go, she did not respond.
Later that evening around 7 pm, near the Horizon Hotel, she and her children noticed Greenwood watching them.
She quickly guided her children away from him and walked along Charlotte Street.
Greenwood approached her and made an attempt to cuddle her children.
The children became upset because they did not want to engage.
He then called her by name before leaving the scene.
Over the following days, Greenwood continued to contact the woman with multiple voicemails and text messages, including one stating, 'I take it you weren't in when I came to the house last night.' The court heard this behavior caused her significant alarm, leading police to attend, take statements, and trace Greenwood to his home, where he was arrested.
Defending solicitor Tony Currie explained that Greenwood, now 31, valued his only serious relationship, which ended suddenly without explanation, leaving him distressed.
A veteran who had endured a difficult military service, Greenwood found support through Veteran First.
Currie stated Greenwood was concerned that he appeared to be seeking out the woman among large crowds of 100,000 to 150,000 people, describing their meeting as a chance encounter rather than intentional stalking.
He acknowledged the end of their relationship and suggested that supervised community orders could be beneficial.
Sheriff Mhari MacTaggart sentenced Greenwood to a two-year community payback order with social work supervision and imposed a three-year non-harassment order protecting the woman and her children.
