MARY JANE BLYTH INVERSKEITHING STALKING CASE: COURT SENTENCE FOR FIVE-YEAR OBSESSION

Mary Jane Blyth, a 68-year-old woman employed as a cleaner in Inverkeithing, has been found guilty of a prolonged stalking campaign that spanned over five years. The victim in this case was a doctor working at Dalgety Bay Medical Centre, a location well-known in the area. Blyth’s obsession with the doctor was driven by what she described as a 'bad crush,' which led her to engage in relentless and unwelcome attempts to contact him despite repeated requests for her to cease her actions.

Her methods of harassment included bombarding the doctor with numerous text messages and voicemails, many of which contained bizarre and emotionally charged content. In one such message, she claimed to have received spiritual readings indicating that they were destined to be together, a statement that underscored her delusional perception of their relationship. Blyth’s obsession went further when she told the doctor she would leave her husband for him, a proposal that was firmly rejected. The court heard that she had discovered his phone number on a notice board and subsequently sent him an apologetic message, only to resume her contact months later, despite her assurances that she would stop.

In a particularly troubling act, Blyth left an envelope containing a love letter and a sum of £1,000 on the windscreen of the doctor’s car. She had deliberately waited nearby to ensure he would find the envelope, demonstrating her obsessive need for contact. When police investigated her actions, she admitted to waiting in the vicinity to make sure the envelope was received and to sending messages expressing her love and obsession. Between April 2023 and July of the same year, she left a total of 16 voicemails and continued to insist that her spiritual readings confirmed their mutual love.

During police interviews, Blyth claimed she did not believe her actions constituted stalking, asserting that 'He just needed to be honest with me.' She also promised that she would not repeat her behavior. Her persistent conduct caused the doctor significant distress over the five-year period, affecting his peace of mind and sense of safety. The court heard that her actions had a serious impact on the victim’s well-being and mental health.

Ultimately, Blyth pleaded guilty to causing fear or alarm through her persistent and unwanted conduct. The sheriff presiding over the case emphasized the seriousness and ongoing nature of her behavior, highlighting the distress caused to the victim. As part of her sentence, she was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and was issued a five-year contact ban, prohibiting her from having any direct or indirect contact with the doctor. The court’s decision underscores the importance of addressing persistent stalking behaviors and protecting victims from ongoing harassment.