A FORMER soldier who committed stalking offences against his former partner has been warned not to attempt to delay the sentencing process by changing his story.

James Roberts had previously admitted his guilt but appeared to go back on this when later speaking to a social worker.

He had also pulled on the handbrake of a car during a journey, causing a child in the vehicle to be injured.

This incident occurred as the car travelled in Dunfermline causing his ex-partner, who was driving, to lose control.

Roberts, 33, of Cook Street, Dysart, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He had previously admitted that between May 1 and 14 at various locations in Dunfermline he engaged in a course of conduct which caused his ex-partner fear or alarm by approaching her, contacting her by telephone, social media and via texts, loitered outside her home, monitored her, requested that she tell him her whereabouts and restricted her from socialising.

He also admitted that on April 17, at Pittsburgh Road, Dunfermline, during the course of a car journey and whilst the vehicle was in motion, applied the hand brake causing his ex-partner to lose control of the car and causing a seatbelt to tighten on the neck of child passenger, aged seven, to his injury.

Sheriff James MacDonald was concerned about comments made by Roberts to the social worker writing up the report ahead of sentencing, in which he appeared to deny his guilt despite the earlier pleas.

Solicitor Ian Beatson confirmed that his client’s position was that he accepted his guilt and took full responsibility for the offences.

Sheriff MacDonald said that in the circumstances he would defer sentence further for a psychological assessment.

He warned Roberts that having fully accepted his guilt, not to change his story again as this could amount to a contempt of court for obstructing the sentencing process.