A FIRST-TIME offender has appeared in Court for harassing his former partner from Cowdenbeath when their relationship came to an end.

Dale Carpenter’s ex-girlfriend became frightened by his constant contact which numbered at about 50 calls even though she had begun a new relationship.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday the 28-year-old, of Broomhead Drive, Dunfermline, accepted his behaviour was inappropriate but said his former partner still allowed him to see her and her child after the break-up and felt somewhat used by her.

He previously admitted that between July 1 and August 21, 2017, to an address in Cowdenbeath, he did engage in a course of conduct which caused his ex partner fear or alarm in that he did repeatedly make phone calls to her.

Deputed fiscal, Azrah Yousaf, explained to the Court that the couple were in a relationship between April and December 2016, and in April 2017 the complainer started a new relationship but kept in contact with the accused.

In August the police were contacted by the woman who said Carpenter was constantly trying to contact her and officers could see she was frightened by his behaviour.

Defence solicitor, Ian Beatson, said that for a period between April and May last year, the complainer had contacted his client and he thought they were going to get back together.

He told the Court that Carpenter was contacting her because she was calling him.

“The calls were fuelled by stupid emotions and he wanted to get things sorted out”, Mr Beatson said.

“He appreciates it was inappropriate but he was not aware that she had started a new relationship and he called her to see what was going on.

“He still saw her and her child and he felt somewhat used by her.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a 12 month non-harassment order and deferred sentence for three months for good behaviour.

Carpenter will appear in Court on June 6.