A Former Highland League Club official, accused of stalking a woman, is now facing further charges alleging he twice flouted a court ban not to contact her.
The instruction was a special condition of bail granted last year to Colin Stewart, then Wick Academy FC chairman, after he denied stalking Elaine Gray.
But at Wick Sheriff Court today, it was alleged he had breached the condition on January 3, this year by attempting to call her on his mobile telephone and again failing to comply with the order, by sending her a text message at her work in the Highland Council offices in Girnigoe Street, Wick, on April 16. Breaking bail can carry a prison sentence of up to a year, if admitted or proved.
Stewart, was not present in court yesterday but pleas of not guilty to both bail breach charges were entered by his solicitor, Fiona MacDonald. Stewart is due to stand trial on both charges on October 14.
Stewart, a local businessman, of Lower Dunbar Street, Wick, is also scheduled to stand trial on the stalking charge, which he also denies, on August 19.
On that date he will face two charges. The first alleges that he engaged in a course of conduct which caused Mrs Gray fear and alarm at a council service point and repeatedly followed, approached her and contacted her by telephone, email and voice mail. He is further accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly sending text messages to Mrs Gray’s father, Clair Harper, Wick Academy’s president, at his home in Thurso Road, Wick.
The offences are said to have occurred between August 1 and November 6, last year.
Stewart was chairman of the club’s executive committee at the time but subsequently his duties were assumed by club secretary Alan Farquhar.