FORMER CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR PHILLIP CHARLES STALKED GLASGOW POLITICIAN AND WAS JAILED FOR HARASSMENT
A former Conservative councillor who pursued a fellow politician has been ordered this week to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service.Rejected by the woman he was interested in, Phillip Charles, 53, subjected her to persistent harassment after she declined his advances.
It was revealed in Glasgow Sheriff Court that Charles had engaged in two sexual encounters with her at a hotel, but their relationship did not develop further.
At the time, she was also serving as a councillor.
Charles, who represented the Baillieston ward, then flooded her with messages that she considered "overwhelming." She eventually blocked his contact, but on Valentine’s Day 2021, she received a card and a gift from him.
In the following months, Charles continued his disturbing behaviour by befriending her colleagues at work and inquiring about her well-being.
After she lost her council seat, his actions intensified; he took to Twitter (now X) to post about her, sharing images and a message stating: "The best councillor there ever was." She later moved to a new address but learned that Charles had visited her previous home, carrying what was described as "a box of goods." He also left a voicemail threatening to harm himself, prompting her to change her phone number.
On Valentine’s Day 2025, she received a parcel via Amazon—likely from Charles—containing Easter eggs.
Additionally, she received another package from Deliveroo with his contact details, which she instructed the delivery driver to discard.
Her husband also saw comments on Facebook regarding Charles’ past relationship with her.
Charles further sent her a card with Easter wishes and his contact info.
Concerned by his persistent behaviour, the police were eventually called, leading to his arrest.
Charles pleaded guilty to stalking the woman from October 2020 through April 2025.
Sheriff Lorraine Glancy KC sentenced him to three months of supervised probation, ordered him to perform 200 hours of unpaid work, and imposed a five-year non-harassment order to prevent any further contact.
