A MAN who stalked his ex for more than four months has been banned from any contact with her for three years.

William McGettigan, 26, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week for sentencing over a sustained harassment of the woman.

He pleaded guilty in September to repeatedly and persistently sent her messages on social media which there threatening and abusive, repeatedly attempted to contact her through family members, sending abusive messages directed to her and her family.

McGettigan, of Kirkton Avenue, Knightswood, also created several fake social media identities to try to conceal his identity and prevent his ex from blocking him, and repeatedly threatened physical violence towards her.

The offence stretched from September 7, 2017 to January 29, 2018 and included addresses in Dumbarton, Clydebank, and elsewhere.

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Sheriff Frances McCartney pointed to McGettigan's six previous convictions and said she took a "dim view" of his latest crime, aggravated by being against an ex.

But she deferred sentence until December 11 to find out if he was suitable for the Caledonian System behaviour programme for men convicted of domestic abuse offences.

The sheriff also imposed a three-year non-harassment order banning any contact with his ex by any means at all, warning prison would follow any breach of that.

She added: "I take a very serious view of your offending, especially given your appalling record."