A forces veteran hounded his “terrified” ex-girlfriend after she dumped him and moved out.
James Reid, 62, repeatedly appeared at the Chinese takeaway where Ashley Davis worked.
His former lover – more than 30 years his junior – jilted him and moved away to start a new life.
But he admitted at Paisley Sheriff Court, scaring Miss David by waiting outside 1 A Wok in his motor with other men while she was serving.
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Fiscal depute Maureen McGovern says Reid was spurred on because he refused to accept the pair’s time together was over.
She said: “The victim is now 29 or 30 years old and is somewhat younger than the accused.
“She and the accused were in a six-year relationship, which commenced around 2007.
“Miss Davis gave a statement to police that she was unhappy, particularly towards the end.
“She felt isolated and wanted out, but felt unable to extricate herself from it.
“She felt controlled.
“The accused made it clear he didn’t want it to end.
“Miss Davis tried to end the relationship and got as far as saying she needed a break.
“He still phoned and text her and she changed her phone.”
The couple had lived together for four years after moving from Renfrewshire to North Ayrshire.
Miss Davis fled their home after secretly setting up a move to Erskine to get away from Reid.
The court heard he felt “aggrieved” after she left, but he believed she had moved back to live with her parents.
The last time she saw him was April 2014, until he began turning up to her shop on Bishopton’s Greenock Road.
Ms McGovern added: “She hadn’t seen the accused for over a year.
“She had begun a new relationship with a gentleman she had known for many years.
“She was at her place of work and had just come back from carrying out a home delivery in her car.
“She saw the accused in his motor vehicle in the car part outside her work.
“The accused had another man in the car.
“There was no reason for him to be in Bishopton.
“She was shocked at seeing him.
“She saw the accused drive his car and park next to hers, so he was facing into the shop.
“He stayed there for around five minutes, she phoned the police.
“She stated she was terrified and shaken.”
Ms McGovern insisted Reid made it clear he “would not be happy to end the relationship” and began turning up at her work.
Miss Davis spotted her former partner again weeks later, when he parked up outside the takeaway again at night.
She cowered behind the serving area to stay safe after she spotted more men in the car.
Ms McGovern continued: “She looked out onto the main road and saw the accused in the driver’s seat of his motor vehicle.
“He drove past.
“She made sure she was behind the counter to keep it between them, if he came in.
“He drove back out front and stayed for longer and had other males in the car.
“Again, she called the police and was in a state of fear and alarm.”
Officers phoned Reid and warned him to keep away from the shop, but he came back the next night with pals.
Miss Davis spotted him parked around a corner when she went to make a delivery and was so horrified, she rushed back to the takeaway.
Ms McGovern explained: “She immediately turned around and drove back.
“She crouched down when she went into the takeaway.
“Her boss was there and came out and approached the accused and took a photo of him and told them she was calling the police.
“Miss Davis was extremely shaken up because of this.”
Defence lawyer Chris McKenna admitted his client “still had feelings” for his ex at the time, but there were “no obvious reasons” why she should fear him.
He said: “He had been on the way to a car show and stopped for some food.
“He was unaware of where she was living.
“He didn’t leave the car because he couldn’t pluck up the courage to do so.”
The brief claimed Reid found her place of work “by chance” and repeatedly came back because he felt he was owed cash to pay bills of up to £2,000.
Reid believed his former partner had been living a “double life” and was angered she had a new partner.
Mr McKenna added: “He thought it had been a good relationship, he had been generous to her.
“He bought her expensive gifts and gave her money for a business venture.
“He later discovered she had a new partner and he believes there was an overlap.
“When he discovered all this, he felt humiliated. He felt very foolish.”
Unemployed Reid pleaded guilty to engaging in a conduct likely to cause fear or alarm between August 8 and September 19, 2015.
Prosecutors had called for a five-year non-harassment order to be put in place to stop him from making contact with Miss Davis.
Sheriff Seith Ireland denied the request and deferred sentence for six months, but warned Reid he faces jail if he continues to follow the victim.
He said: “If I hear you have not been of good behaviour and if there’s been any further incidents involving Miss Davis, the matter will have to be revisited differently and would be treated very seriously indeed.
“It can be a matter leading to imprisonment.”
Reid, of Hayocks Road, Stevenston, North Ayrshire, has been ordered to return to court on September 11.
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