Stalker wanted a date

Published 6 Apr 2010 15:00

A CARE worker stalked two women on their way home from the pub, hiding his face behind a hood.

Creepy Allan Nimmo, 41, pursued one terrified lone woman before she made it home safely and called the police.

He then turned his attention to another woman who had come from the same pub.

At one point, when the second victim began to run, he ran after her, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard last week.

Kelly Duling, fiscal depute, said it was 11.40pm when the first of Nimmo's target's left the pub with a friend.

She walked her friend home and turned to make her own way home when she became aware of footsteps behind her.

She turned and saw Nimmo wearing a dark jacket with a hood pulled across his face, walking on the same footpath.

Ms Duling said: "She realised he was getting closer and increased her pace - he did the same.

"She was becoming terrified and crossed the road towards her house, followed by Nimmo all the way."

The woman broke into a run and got in to her house - out the window she saw Nimmo at the front gate, where he turned and walked off.

An hour later Nimmo was terrifying another victim.

The second woman left the same pub as the first and began walking home alone when she too became aware of the hooded man following her.

Nimmo was on an adjacent path but shrank back from the woman whenever a car went past.

Ms Duling said: "She crossed the street and began running and he began running too. She turned and challenged Nimmo and asked if he was following her and he said 'don't be stupid' and ran away."

A police broadcast was put out and he was picked up soon after and interviewed at the station, where he confessed to following the women.

Nimmo told cops: "I just wanted a date with them."

Nimmo pled guilty to causing fear and alarm to women on separate occasions, first on Hardie Street, Levenvale, then on North Main Street, Alexandria, on October 15 last year.

The 41-year-old's lawyer told the court his client had missed his train and walked home from Balloch after a night out, where he drank four pints after taking his prescribed anti-depressants.

The defence said he intended to ask the woman on a date, but pulled his hood over his face because he was embarrassed.

She added: "He has little understanding of these matters and his shyness means he does not know how to develop social skills."

Sentencing, Sheriff William Dunlop said: "I take it you now understand that creeping up behind strangers on a dark night with your hood up is not the way to ask for a date?

"What you did is just complete stupidity."

Nimmo, of 64 Murroch Crescent, Bonhill, was given two years probation.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 06 Apr 10

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