A LANDSCAPE gardener plagued a woman with abusive texts and also messages after she ended their relationship, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

Thirty-five-year-old Michael Longstar pleaded guilty to a charge of stalking by engaging in a course of conduct which was abusive to his ex-partner from his home at Brieryhill Cottages near Duns over a six-month period between January 1 and June 16.

Depute fiscal India McLean said how the woman had terminated their five-year relationship at the end of December 2023 but they stayed in contact as they shared a dog.

Eventually she asked him to leave her alone but that led to a number of emails, FaceTime calls and messages nearly every day.

On May 2, for example, he tried to FaceTime her on 42 separate occasions.

Ms McLean said a number of calls came from a non-identity number which she believed was Longstar.

On June 16  the emails became abusive calling her derogatory names.

Eventually the woman went to the police station and showed officers screenshots of the messages.

He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client was trying to contact the woman in an attempt to reconcile but should have realised she did not want to when his calls were ignored.

He added: “Since he has been charged there has been no attempt to contact her. He has come to terms with the fact the relationship is over.”

Longstar was fined £400 with a £20 victim surcharge.

In addition a non-harassment order was imposed banning him from having any contact with his ex-partner for two years.