ROBERT MCDONALD HARASSES WOMAN IN AUCHTERARDER - COURT HEARS OF BIZARRE BEHAVIOR

Robert McDonald, a 42-year-old man from Auchterarder, was found guilty in court of engaging in a series of actions that instilled fear and caused significant alarm to a former female colleague. The incidents took place between May 7 and May 24 of this year, during which McDonald’s behavior escalated from persistent harassment to unsettling public disturbances.

According to court proceedings, McDonald repeatedly harassed his former coworker by lingering around Auchterarder Golf Club late into the night hours. His presence at the golf club was not casual; he was observed knocking on doors in the vicinity, asking residents questions about her whereabouts, and making bizarre claims. At one point, he asserted that she was his wife, despite the fact that she had only been employed at the golf club for nine months and that they had no further contact after she left her job.

The depute fiscal, Ms. Ritchie, detailed how McDonald had attempted to re-establish contact earlier in the year through social media. He sent messages simply saying hello and inquiring about her well-being, but these went unanswered. The situation grew more disturbing when McDonald falsely told a local householder that she had not responded to his messages and that he was her husband. His behavior extended beyond social media; he knocked on numerous doors across Auchterarder, asking residents if they knew whether she lived there. When told she did not, he appeared confused and insisted that “something big was going on in Auchterarder,” attempting to persuade residents to share information about her.

Concerned staff at the golf club reviewed CCTV footage after noticing McDonald’s unusual conduct. The footage revealed that he was carrying a kitchen knife in his back pocket while at the premises. This discovery prompted police to launch an investigation. When officers detained McDonald and retrieved the weapon, he made a comment that added to the bizarre nature of the case, stating, “It’s only two inches.”

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney described McDonald’s behavior as “bizarre,” emphasizing the unsettling nature of his actions. McDonald, who pleaded guilty to a course of conduct that caused fear and alarm, was identified as a first-time offender. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work over the course of 12 months. Furthermore, a three-year non-harassment order was imposed, explicitly prohibiting him from contacting or approaching the victim during this period, in an effort to prevent further distress or intimidation.