A man who alarmed a former girlfriend by following her around a supermarket has been remanded in custody until September 17.
Artur Maciaga, of Queens Way, Earlston, admitted breaching a bail condition not to approach the woman on August 30.
“He was on bail not to approach her and met her in Tesco’s in Galashiels where she was shopping,” explained depute procurator fiscal Tessa Bradley. “He continued to follow her around the store for about 10 minutes,” she added.
Maciaga’s lawyer, Matt Patrick, said his client was “keen to resolve some financial issues” which could lead to him losing his home, adding: “He bumped into her shopping.”
An intermediate hearing was also set for September 17, with trial on October 2, after the 37-year-old denied causing the same woman fear and alarm by going to her Tweedbank home on August 7 and 8, and refusing to leave.
Sheriff Kevin Drummond told Maciaga: “You were sentenced to custody for offences which involved following women in the street, and that sentence expires on October 4. You now face two charges of attending at a woman’s home and refusing to leave. You have pled guilty to breaching an undertaking which prohibited you from approaching your former partner.
“I do not accept that this was a chance meeting, and you continued to pursue her for some 10 minutes, leaving her frightened and uncomfortable.
“You do not seem to be able to take on board the importance of observing court conditions, particularly when they relate to the safety of your female victims,” he concluded.