AN INABILITY to deal with the breakdown of a relationship landed a Rosyth pensioner with a court appearance this week.

Ronald Locke, 66, struggled to cope with the end of the relationship with the Lithuanian woman 20 years his junior and admitted repeatedly contacting her.

On one occasion, he arranged for a Christmas card to be delivered which contained a cheque for £42,000.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Wednesday, Locke, of McGrigor Road, had earlier admitted that on December 21, he engaged in a course of conduct which caused his former partner fear or alarm by repeatedly contacting her by leaving or arranging for cards to be left. 

Between December 2 and 13, at Poundworld in Dunfermline and other places on the High Street, he also engaged in a course of conduct which caused his former partner fear or alarm when he repeatedly approached and contacted her at her place of work, took a voice recording and repeatedly sent her text messages.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said the relationship had ended in the November and the former partner clearly felt harassed to the point where the police had to be contacted.

Defence solicitor Sarah Meehan said prior to these matters, her client had had no experience of the criminal justice system and he was only appearing because of his inability to deal with the breakdown in the relationship. 

The termination of the relationship came soon after Locke had been diagnosed with cancer and his health was currently “particularly” poor.

“He had been engaged to be married to the complainer,” she told the court.

“She was Lithuanian and 20 years his junior. Once she was advised of his health difficulties, she called the relationship off which he found difficult to come to terms with.

“The Christmas card contained a cheque of £42,000. All he ever did for the complainer was to provide her with a life in Scotland and provide for her and her children.

"He attended at her place of work and sent her text messages to try and resume the relationship. It was not threatening. When he sent the Christmas card, he sent a friend to deliver it.” 

Ms Meehan said Locke now accepted the relationship was ended and planned no repeat of his behaviour.

Sheriff Alison McKay fined Locke £300 and issued him with a non-harassment order for six months preventing him from approaching or contacting his ex-partner.