WILLIAM PATERSON STALKING AND THREATENING INCIDENTS IN STIRLING AND DUNSTER ROAD

William Paterson, a 44-year-old charity auctioneer from Stirling, has narrowly avoided imprisonment after being found guilty of stalking his former girlfriend, Jay Goodwillie. The conviction was handed down at Stirling Sheriff Court last month, where Paterson was judged to have engaged in a pattern of conduct that instilled fear and caused significant alarm to Ms. Goodwillie.

Following the conviction, Paterson returned to court on a recent Wednesday for sentencing, which also included a separate charge of threatening and abusive behavior committed on Dunster Road on February 22. He had previously admitted to this charge on June 2. The court proceedings revealed that the February incident involved his wife, adding further context to the case.

In the sentencing, Sheriff Wyllie Robertson imposed a community payback order requiring Paterson to complete 18 months of supervision along with 250 hours of unpaid work within a six-month period. Additionally, for the February incident, Paterson was ordered to pay a fine of £500, payable within four months.

Sheriff Robertson commented on Paterson’s character, describing him as egocentric, a term the sheriff felt accurately reflected his behavior. The sheriff also emphasized the importance of protecting Ms. Goodwillie, stating that a non-harassment order would be necessary. This order restricts Paterson from contacting or communicating with Ms. Goodwillie for a period of three and a half years, aiming to prevent any further harassment or intimidation.

Adrian Fraser, the fiscal depute, informed the court that Ms. Goodwillie had requested the order to last for five years. She sought conditions that would prevent Paterson from contacting or discussing her with anyone else, and from disclosing any information about her to third parties, including the press. The court considered these requests but ultimately imposed a three-and-a-half-year restriction.

Paterson’s solicitor, Sam Martin, argued that the additional conditions were excessive and inappropriate. He highlighted that Paterson had been on bail for over 14 months without any contact with Ms. Goodwillie during that period. Mr. Martin also noted that Paterson had recently separated from his wife a month prior and that, in his view, Paterson now wanted nothing to do with Ms. Goodwillie.

Furthermore, Mr. Martin expressed concern about Paterson’s reputation, noting his extensive charitable work over the past year. He stated that Paterson had been involved with approximately 54 different charities, raising more than £2 million, and feared that the conviction could hinder his ability to continue his charitable activities in the future.