A former Big Issue seller, who admitted “stalking” a woman, was today told he was “unwise” to try to join a club at a local gym.
But Sheriff Richard Davidson was otherwise satisfied that Robert Bloomfield was making good progress after placing him under supervision for three years in April.
Bloomfield, of 43 Blar Mhor, Caol, Fort William, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Fort William Sheriff Court to causing the woman fear and alarm.
He repeatedly approached and contacted his victim, followed her, shouted at her and grabbed hold of her when she did not want any contact with him.
The offence was committed in Union Street, High Street and Middle Street, Fort William, between June 10 and June 19 last year.
Sheriff Davidson imposed a three-year-community payback order, including 130 hours unpaid work, and a condition that he must undergo alcohol treatment.
The 54-year-old was also banned from doing any job that brought him into contact with the public and he had to agree to social workers and police carrying out random checks on his mobile phone.
He appeared before the same sheriff at the town’s court today for his first three-monthly review.
Bloomfield’s solicitor, Hamish Melrose, pointed out that his client had already completed half of his unpaid work, but had been unable to do more as he had been suffering from a bad back.
After reading a report on his progress, Sheriff Davidson told him: “I’m encouraged by what I read.
“You’ve made a good positive start to this order.”
The sheriff added that he was “a bit concerned” that Bloomfield had tried to join a club at a gym and he described the move as “not very wise”.
Bloomfield is due to appear before the court again for a further review on October 14. His bail was continued.