A man from Fife is awaiting his fate at Perth Sheriff Court after admitting to a disturbing campaign of stalking against his former girlfriend, a course of conduct that included death threats and deeply offensive racist remarks aimed at her new partner. Paul Jackson, aged 58, appeared before Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC, where the details of his increasingly aggressive and manipulative behaviour were laid bare.
The court heard that Jackson’s actions unfolded over several weeks earlier this year, between August 21 and September 20. The couple had shared a 21-year relationship, but after their separation, the woman embarked on a new relationship, a development that evidently fueled Jackson’s jealousy and triggered his relentless harassment.
Initially, Jackson’s messages were manipulative, causing his ex-partner concern for his well-being. He made worrying statements about acquiring a large quantity of painkillers, prompting her to fear for his safety. He later apologised for these initial communications. Escalation of Threats and Racist Abuse
However, the tone of his messages soon shifted dramatically. The prosecutor, Sarah High, informed the court that Jackson’s communications became markedly more aggressive. He began to assign blame to his former partner for health issues he was experiencing, expressing a dark desire for “blood, not money” from her.
The threats quickly intensified, with Jackson explicitly stating his intention to cause fatal harm to her new boyfriend, proclaiming he was “going to die” and he would “f*** him up.” Further chilling messages simply read: “Die, die, die.” The victim, understandably terrified, chose not to respond to any of these escalating threats.
Despite another brief apology the following day, Jackson’s disturbing behaviour continued unabated. On August 31, he sent profoundly disturbing texts that conveyed his sinister intentions. He expressed a wish for his ex-partner to live in constant fear, anticipating her closing her eyes at night only to imagine him “coming ready to rip [her] apart.” He chillingly described this imagined event as a “beautiful f***ing day,” stating his desire to see her in “a lot of pain.”
The harassment reached a new low on September 16, when Jackson directed vile racist insults at her new partner. He explicitly threatened to come for him, using abhorrent racial epithets. The court was told that at least two more messages containing similar hateful racial abuse followed, further demonstrating the deeply prejudiced and menacing nature of his campaign. Court Proceedings and Defense
Paul Jackson’s conduct was promptly reported to the police on two separate occasions as the disturbing communications continued. He ultimately entered a guilty plea to the charge of stalking, acknowledging that his behaviour had been abusive and caused significant fear and alarm to both his former partner and her new boyfriend.
Representing Jackson, solicitor Ian Loach highlighted his client’s otherwise limited criminal record, noting that he had not been in trouble with the law since the 1980s. Mr. Loach suggested that Jackson’s belief that his ex-partner had started her new relationship before their own long-term relationship had officially ended had plunged him into a “depression spiral.” Sheriff’s Concerns and Deferred Sentencing
Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC expressed her profound concern regarding the egregious nature of Jackson’s actions. Addressing the accused, she stated: “I am extremely concerned about the nature of the behaviour you have engaged in.”
Given the gravity of the stalking and the deeply troubling content of the threats, Sheriff Bain deferred sentencing to allow for the preparation of comprehensive background reports. Jackson will remain under scrutiny as the court considers the appropriate punitive and preventative measures for his disturbing conduct.
Such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the serious impact that stalking and harassment can have on individuals, and the commitment of Perth Sheriff Court to addressing and punishing such malicious behaviour within our community.
The court heard that Jackson’s actions unfolded over several weeks earlier this year, between August 21 and September 20. The couple had shared a 21-year relationship, but after their separation, the woman embarked on a new relationship, a development that evidently fueled Jackson’s jealousy and triggered his relentless harassment.
Initially, Jackson’s messages were manipulative, causing his ex-partner concern for his well-being. He made worrying statements about acquiring a large quantity of painkillers, prompting her to fear for his safety. He later apologised for these initial communications. Escalation of Threats and Racist Abuse
However, the tone of his messages soon shifted dramatically. The prosecutor, Sarah High, informed the court that Jackson’s communications became markedly more aggressive. He began to assign blame to his former partner for health issues he was experiencing, expressing a dark desire for “blood, not money” from her.
The threats quickly intensified, with Jackson explicitly stating his intention to cause fatal harm to her new boyfriend, proclaiming he was “going to die” and he would “f*** him up.” Further chilling messages simply read: “Die, die, die.” The victim, understandably terrified, chose not to respond to any of these escalating threats.
Despite another brief apology the following day, Jackson’s disturbing behaviour continued unabated. On August 31, he sent profoundly disturbing texts that conveyed his sinister intentions. He expressed a wish for his ex-partner to live in constant fear, anticipating her closing her eyes at night only to imagine him “coming ready to rip [her] apart.” He chillingly described this imagined event as a “beautiful f***ing day,” stating his desire to see her in “a lot of pain.”
The harassment reached a new low on September 16, when Jackson directed vile racist insults at her new partner. He explicitly threatened to come for him, using abhorrent racial epithets. The court was told that at least two more messages containing similar hateful racial abuse followed, further demonstrating the deeply prejudiced and menacing nature of his campaign. Court Proceedings and Defense
Paul Jackson’s conduct was promptly reported to the police on two separate occasions as the disturbing communications continued. He ultimately entered a guilty plea to the charge of stalking, acknowledging that his behaviour had been abusive and caused significant fear and alarm to both his former partner and her new boyfriend.
Representing Jackson, solicitor Ian Loach highlighted his client’s otherwise limited criminal record, noting that he had not been in trouble with the law since the 1980s. Mr. Loach suggested that Jackson’s belief that his ex-partner had started her new relationship before their own long-term relationship had officially ended had plunged him into a “depression spiral.” Sheriff’s Concerns and Deferred Sentencing
Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC expressed her profound concern regarding the egregious nature of Jackson’s actions. Addressing the accused, she stated: “I am extremely concerned about the nature of the behaviour you have engaged in.”
Given the gravity of the stalking and the deeply troubling content of the threats, Sheriff Bain deferred sentencing to allow for the preparation of comprehensive background reports. Jackson will remain under scrutiny as the court considers the appropriate punitive and preventative measures for his disturbing conduct.
Such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the serious impact that stalking and harassment can have on individuals, and the commitment of Perth Sheriff Court to addressing and punishing such malicious behaviour within our community.