Forres man avoids jail sentence after harassing ex-partner and her mother
A man who repeatedly harassed his ex-partner and her mother in the weeks following a sudden breakup has avoided a jail sentence.
Alistair Mackintosh, 35, of Forres, was sentenced at Elgin Sheriff Court on Thursday for a range of incidents between January and February this year.
The court heard that the couple’s relationship ended abruptly in January 2025.
On January 19, Mackintosh sent messages to his ex, stating he was going to report her as a missing person and demanding the return of a dog and a house key.
After she blocked him on social media, Mackintosh found another way to make contact, this time through a shared shopping list app where he once again demanded the return of the dog and key. She removed him from the app.
On January 30, her mother saw Mackintosh driving past her place of work, prompting suspicions that he was searching for her daughter.
On February 5, he drove past again, this time beeping his horn and "smirking" at the woman.
The woman made her daughter aware of the incident, which prompted Mackintosh’s ex partner to travel from England to Forres Police Station to report him.
Mackintosh was arrested, cautioned, and charged on February 16.
Defence solicitor Megan Lee said the relationship had come to a “sudden end” with no explanation, adding that Mackintosh was distressed by the loss of the Golden Retriever he had become “attached to” - even though the dog had been purchased by his former partner.
She acknowledged that her client should have handled the situation differently and confirmed that he now accepts full responsibility for his actions.
Sheriff David Harvie granted non-harassment orders for both Mackintosh’s ex-partner and her mother, banning Mackintosh from contacting them in any form for three years.
He also imposed 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed within six months and placed Mackintosh under 18 months of supervision.
“This is a direct alternative to custody given your record,” Sheriff Harvie added.
