CHRISTOPHER YOUNG FROM DUNFERMLINE SENTENCED FOR HARASSMENT AND THREATS INVOLVING EX-GIRLFRIEND

Christopher Young, a 25-year-old resident of Rowan Grove in Dunfermline, has been found guilty of engaging in a series of threatening and harassing behaviors directed at his former partner. The incidents took place over a span of three days, from July 24 to July 26, during which Young repeatedly sent emails and text messages that caused significant fear and distress to the woman involved.

According to court reports, Young's actions included sending numerous emails containing offensive remarks and sexually explicit images of his ex-girlfriend. In one particularly alarming email, he sent four nude photographs of her, accompanied by threats to distribute these images to her friends, family members, and colleagues at her workplace if she did not make contact with him. These messages were part of a pattern of conduct that the court described as causing the victim to feel alarmed and intimidated.

Furthermore, Young issued threats to harm himself, explicitly stating his intention to jump off the Forth Road Bridge if she failed to respond to his communications. His persistent efforts to contact her extended beyond her personal email accounts; he also attempted to reach her through her work colleagues, sending multiple text messages in an apparent attempt to establish contact with her indirectly.

The victim, in an effort to protect herself, deleted her email accounts before Young managed to make contact with one of her colleagues. This prompted her to contact the police, leading to Young's arrest at Dunfermline Police Station. He was subsequently cautioned and formally charged with the offences.

During the court proceedings at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, defense solicitor Ian Beatson explained that Young had been involved in an on-and-off relationship with the woman for four years. He emphasized that after their breakup, the woman did not want any further contact with him. Beatson described Young as being "somewhat immature for his years" and suggested that he should have known better, especially considering the advantages he had in life.

Depute fiscal Craig Donald detailed the severity of Young's actions, highlighting that the emails contained derogatory comments and explicit images, with one email explicitly threatening to distribute the nude photographs. The court was told that the victim had taken steps to protect herself by deleting her email accounts before Young could make further contact through her colleagues.

In response to the serious nature of the offenses, Sheriff Shead acknowledged the gravity of Young's conduct. He imposed a community payback order requiring Young to complete 75 hours of unpaid work, emphasizing the importance of addressing such behavior seriously to prevent future harm.