AYR FOOTBALL COACH STEPHEN BARRETT STALKED EX AND RECEIVED COMMUNITY ORDER
An amateur football coach who stalked his ex-girlfriend was told that not being able to attend games was part of his punishment when placed on a tag.Stephen Barrett, of Paterson Street in Ayr, was warned the alternative to missing away games was jail when he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court earlier this month.
The 61-year-old was given a lifelong non-harassment order after engaging in a course of conduct that caused his ex-partner fear and alarm at New Dykes Road in Prestwick and elsewhere between June 5 and July 17 2025.
Barrett admitted repeatedly, excessively, and persistently contacting her by telephone, text message, and social media platforms, despite being asked to cease contact.
He repeatedly attended her home address uninvited, attempted to engage her in conversation, and refused to leave when requested.
He also repeatedly approached her in public places, attempted to engage her, and on one occasion obstructed her from entering her car.
The court heard that they had been in a relationship for 10 months and she was on holiday with a friend.
Barrett began making calls and sending messages accusing her of cheating.
She blocked his number, but he continued to email her.
He attended her home when she arranged for him to collect his belongings but refused to take them and would not accept the relationship was over.
After feeling pressured, she unblocked him, but he then approached her while dog walking and tried to follow her.
He also approached her in Prestwick while she was shopping and made threatening comments.
Police attended his workplace, and he apologized, claiming he would leave her alone.
He was sentenced to a community payback order for two years with 200 hours of unpaid work and a restriction of liberty order to stay at home from 7pm to 7am for three months.
He received a lifelong non-harassment order forbidding contact with the woman.
The sheriff described the conduct as very serious and warned that future behavior could result in a maximum five-year prison sentence.
