An Angus stalker who left coded messages outside his ex-wife’s house has been released from jail.
Grant Easson from Arbroath left Perth prison on July 21 this year and went to the woman’s home to score the numbers 381 outside – then returned to ink them in the next night.
The 42-year-old ex-soldier appeared from custody at Forfar Sheriff Court and admitted a charge of statutory stalking on summary complaint between July 21 and 23, placing the woman in a state of fear or alarm at her Dishlandtown Street home in Arbroath.
Fiscal depute Kirsten Thomson told the court the accused was caught blue-fingered with the ink when visited by police, and had used the numbers during their relationship as shorthand for the phrase “three words, eight letters, one meaning. I love you.”
Solicitor Billy Rennie said his client, who had been in the Army for 10 years, had just been released from jail where he had a “glimmer of hope” of seeing his family again.
He added: “When he got out of prison he expected to be able to see his children soon after but was told that wasn’t going to happen.
“In relation to his record it had slowed down considerably, the troubles seem to arise following the separation from his partner.
“Having been liberated on the 21st of July…he was then told by his mother he would not see his children and the divorce papers would be coming through imminently.
“The intention was to send a message to them that he was there for them.
“He accepts it would have caused alarm.
“He is very reflective on this matter.”
Releasing the former Scots Guard, who had been in custody around four months to await the outcome of background reports, Sheriff Pino Di Emidio said: “To be absolutely frank with you, the easiest thing for me to do, given the terms of your report, is to impose a custodial sentence on you.
“I’m going to give you the opportunity to prove that doesn’t have to happen.
“You have already served the equivalent of a four month sentence on remand.
“I make it absolutely clear that if you don’t comply you would attract the maximum possible sentence for this case.”
Easson was placed on a high tariff deferred sentence, with a review on October 20, and was banned from entering Dishlandtown Street or attempting to contact the complainer.
