Forres man (58) fined after breaking non-harassment order
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A FORRES man has been fined after breaking his non-harassment order.
Michael Dow (58), of Argentier Road, approached his ex as she got in her car at Asda in Elgin on Friday, March 4.
He was given a £210 fine at Inverness Sheriff Court after the chance meeting.
Dow had a three-year-long non-harassment order (NHO) imposed on him last year, but was later admonished on a separate domestic abuse charge due to good behaviour.
Dow, though, claimed that when he received a communication saying he had been admonished on the domestic abuse charge, he thought that meant the end of the NHO.
But Sheriff Macdonald told Dow when he appeared from custody on Monday to admit the breach, that it was his responsibility to check if he was unsure.
His solicitor, Robert Cruickshank, told the court that his client was of the wrong opinion that the NHO was not still in force.
"When interviewed by the police, he said to officers he would never have done it if he had known," he said.
Sheriff Macdonald reinforced to Dow after sentencing that the three year order still applied.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Dow approached the woman, asking how could she do something like that to him. She tried to walk away but was followed by Dow.
When the woman sought support from a store security officer, Dow left the area. He was arrested on Saturday.
