A creepy Ellon pensioner left a hospital worker so terrified she had to carry a panic alarm after stalking her for five months.
John Willox would regularly and repeatedly drive slowly past the City Hospital on Urquhart Road while the woman was standing outside and would stare at her.
The 79-year-old, who has a previous conviction for stalking, as well as for sexually assaulting a child in his cab while working as a taxi-driver, has now found himself back in court again.
His troubling behaviour by the hospital left his victim frightened for her safety and so scared she had to carry with her a personal panic alarm at all times.
Fiscal depute Brooklyn Shaw told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the behaviour happened at least twice a month between January 1 and May 7 2024.
Victim forced to carry personal alarm for safety
She said: “As he drove past he would always stare directly at her through the open car window.
“The complainer considered the behaviour to be creepy.
“He would drive into the grounds, drive slowly past the complainer while staring at her then begin to turn the vehicle.
“This left the complainer feeling anxious and unsafe as a result of the accused’s ongoing behaviour and she contacted the police.”
Officers managed to trace the Willox and he was arrested over the matter.
Ms Shaw told the court: “The complainer has been significantly impacted and has felt constant fear and anxiety while at work since she became aware of the accused.
“She now carries a personal alarm at all times and has experienced stress due to the resulting danger to her personal safety.”
Willox, of Raeburn Place, Ellon, pled guilty to stalking.
Previous stalking conviction
Defence agent Gregor Kelly, referring to the contents of a court-ordered background report, said: “My Lord will be concerned at the minimisation by Mr Willox in the report.
“This man, who is 79, didn’t begin offending until he was 72. He has a previous analogous offence.
“I suppose one could say there weren’t the usual threats of violence or physicality, but it’s fully accepted the conduct has put the young lady in a state of fear or alarm.
“It’s eight-10 times this happened and it’s entirely unacceptable.
“He tried to minimise because he’s scared about going to prison.”
Mr Kelly went on: “It’s been impressed upon him it’s simply unacceptable behaviour.
“This young woman helps society and is feeling uncomfortable in the workplace because of his actions.
“He would do anything that’s required if m’lord is just persuaded by a community-based disposal.”
Sheriff Nigel Cooke, addressing Willox directly, said: “It’s perfectly plain your actions have caused a good deal of upset to the complainer, exacerbated because it took place at her workplace.”
As a direct alternative to prison, the sheriff imposed a year’s supervision and 150 hours of unpaid work.
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