A serial stalker plagued a “terrified” Perth woman with hundreds of texts and phone calls after her unwanted romantic advances were rejected.
Lovesick Jilly Mackay harassed her victim for almost a year, before turning up on her doorstep.
Perth Sheriff Court heard that the woman received 650 missed calls in one day and was forced to unplug her landline.
She called police on Mackay three times and was forced to keep her talking on her doorbell camera for two hours before officers arrived to take her away.
Mackay pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of conduct that caused her victim fear or alarm between October 14 2021 and September 17 2022.
The court heard that the 41-year-old, from Pilton, Edinburgh, had a “remarkably similar” previous conviction which resulted in a five year non-harassment order.
Affections rejected
Fiscal depute Stuart Hamilton said the pair met at an event in Edinburgh in September 2021.
“There appears to have been mixed communications, in that the accused wanted more than a friendship,” Mr Hamilton said.
The two women kept in touch and regularly chatted on Facebook.
“On October 14, the complainer had a change-over at her Airbnb property in Anstruther and asked for the accused for assistance in cleaning it,” the fiscal depute said.
Mackay was invited to stay over at the woman’s house in Perth that night.
Mr Hamilton said: “That evening, the accused sat on the edge of the complainer’s bed and said comments that made her feel uncomfortable.
“She asked the accused to go to sleep in the spare room.”
MacKay got a train back to Edinburgh the following day.
“They had arranged to meet up as friends,” said Mr Hamilton.
“But due to the accused not appearing to get the message about the nature of their friendship, it was subsequently cancelled.”
Friendship turned sour
The court heard the woman attempted to cut ties with MacKay and didn’t engage in conversation with her.
Mr Hamilton said: “Over Christmas, the accused began to text and call repeatedly.
“The complainer had to block the accused, due to the stress she was causing her and her mother, who was staying with her at the time.”
MacKay sent a Christmas present which the woman described as “too much for friends.”
A week later, MacKay left a voicemail calling her victim “an absolute d**k” and said she didn’t care about her.
“From that point on, the complainer received daily messages from the accused,” Mr Hamilton said.
“She began calling her on private numbers. The complainer had to unplug her landline to stop the accused from calling.”
On one day in March, the woman received 650 missed calls from an unknown number.
She contacted police, concerned about MacKay’s welfare.
Spotted on doorbell cam
The court heard that on March 13, Mackay turned up at the woman’s house in Perth’s Glenochay Road.
“The front door was unsecured and the accused came bursting through,” said Mr Hamilton.
“The complainer asked her to leave, but she refused.”
Police were called to the property, but no action was taken.
In September, Mackay returned to the woman’s house, Mr Hamilton said.
“The complainer could see her on her Ring doorbell camera.
“She engaged with the accused for about two hours in an attempt to keep her there until police arrived.”
Mackay was arrested and taken to Dundee police station for interview.
“After initially giving ‘no comment’ responses, the accused eventually admitted sending the emails and making the calls.
“She said she believed the friendship would turn into a relationship.”
The fiscal depute said: “The complainer said that she was terrified of the accused and has asked for a non-harassment order for the maximum allowed period.”
Conduct was ‘intense and excessive’
Defence agent David Holmes said: “Ms Mackay has had the chance to reflect on her behaviour.
“Throughout her adult life, she has found the end of relationships very difficult.”
He added: “Her position is that she must move on and deal with her problems.”
Sheriff William Wood told Mackay she had repeatedly contacted her victim in an “intense and excessive way”.
He said: “I have to take into account your previous conviction for a remarkably similar conduct.
“You acknowledge that there is an issue here that needs to be addressed and some of your behaviour here has not been appropriate.”
MacKay was placed on supervision for two years and must stay away from her victim for five years.
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