A former Perth hairdresser was caught hiding in his ex-girlfriend’s back garden, drinking whisky and eating chocolate.
Lovesick Ferdi Gul stalked his former partner as part of a “sustained” seven-month campaign of abusive behaviour.
The 42-year-old appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted engaging in a course of conduct which caused his ex fear or alarm between October 2018 and April the following year.
He also broke two court orders banning him from seeing his victim.
Gul, who ran a popular barbershop on South Street, fled to Northern Ireland but was arrested and brought back to Scotland to face prosecution.
Now, he cannot start a new relationship without first telling his court-imposed supervising officer.
Spotted behind trampoline
Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson told the court: “At about 7pm on October 11 2018, the complainer – Mr Gul’s ex-partner – was visited by her sister.
“Later that evening, the sister left.
“At this time, it was dark outside and the lighting was poor.
“The complainer came out to have a cigarette in her garden.
“She saw that there was someone behind the trampoline.”
Ms Wilkinson said: “She shouted to her sister, who returned to the garden to find the accused behind the trampoline with a half-empty bottle of whisky and a half-eaten chocolate bar.”
Gul said he had come to see his ex. “I love her,” he said.
“The accused then left the garden,” said Ms Wilkinson.
“The complainer’s sister followed him into the street where he stated: ‘Tonight I kill myself.’”
Police were called to Gul’s room at a city centre hotel, where he confirmed he had no intention of taking his life.
The court heard he made similar threats to the complainer while drunk on February 21 and February 23 2019.
He again confirmed to police he was not suicidal.
Ms Wilkinson said: “It was the officer’s belief that the accused wished for his ex-partner to attend at his home address, which she did.
“Whilst she was there, he kept saying he loved her and wanted her back.”
In April that year, Gul approached his ex-girlfriend at a house in Perthshire.
“She told the accused to leave,” said the fiscal depute.
“The accused kept walking back and forth between the two back doors of the house, shouting in Turkish.
“He gave witnesses hand gestures and the middle finger.
“He acted in an aggressive manner and banged on windows.
“At this point, the complainer contacted police as she was frightened by the accused’s behaviour.”
A few weeks later, Gul broke a court order by approaching his ex-partner again.
“As he walked away, he intimated he had eyes on the complainer,” said Ms Wilkinson.
“He pointed at his own eyes and then at hers.”
Arrested in Northern Ireland
Solicitor David Holmes, defending, said: “Mr Gul has changed his circumstances dramatically since these incidents.
“He did take himself away from the area and was arrested and brought back from Northern Ireland.”
He said: “Mr Gul has no wish to trouble the complainer further.
“He has been seeking help for mental health issues.”
Sheriff James MacDonald told Gul: “These offences represent a sustained course of conduct towards the complainer.
“You have a record of prior offending which includes analogous behaviour, although I note there has been a significant gap in your offending history.”
Gul, of Pomarium Street, Perth, was placed on supervision for 18 months.
The sheriff said: “That will be supplemented by conduct requirements in the following terms: You must engage with offence-focused worked as directed by your supervising officer.
“And secondly you must inform your supervising officer of any new or rekindled relationship.”
Gul must also carry out 120 hours unpaid work and was ordered to stay away from his ex for two years as part of non-harassment order.
