by Craig Borland

A MAN who left his former girlfriend “feeling trapped” after he sent her a series of 25 text messages and went to see her at a houseboat in Bowling harbour has been told to stay away from her for the next 12 months.

Martin Argyelan was handed a non-harassment order banning him from approaching or contacting his ex after admitting engaging in a course of conduct which caused her fear or alarm.

Argylean, of New Street in Duntocher, also shouted and screamed outside his ex’s workplace after being told she was not there.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard that 24-year-old Argyelan had been in an “on-off” relationship with the woman for two-and-a-half years prior to the incident at the houseboat.

Scott Simpson, prosecuting, told Argyelan’s sentencing hearing on Thursday: “The complainer was in her mother’s houseboat on November 13 when her mother observed the accused outside the kitchen window.

“Both ladies were concerned about the attendance of the accused and contacted the accused’s father – who, just to confuse matters, appears to be the partner of the complainer’s mother.

“The father of the accused contacted his son by phone and told him to stay away from the boat. He then attended at the boat for the purpose of ensuring the removal of the accused.

“This occurred at about two o’clock in the afternoon. At about six o’clock, the accused sent a series of about 25 text messages to the complainer which she said left her ‘feeling trapped’.

“The following day the complainer contacted her workplace to say she would not be coming into work and was told by her manager that the accused had attended at the workplace, and on being told the complainer wasn’t present he had left and screamed outside.”

Police, Mr Simpson said, became involved two days later when officers detained and interviewed Argyelan.

“He admitted going to the houseboat,” Mr Simpson continued, “and was asked whether he had attempted to text her. He said ‘yes, of course’.”

Mr Simpson said he was unable to disclose the content of the texts, but said some of them were “insulting, but not threatening, towards her”.

Argyelan’s solicitor, Brian McGuire, said: “Reading between the lines it seems it was an on-off relationship which, in her [the ex’s] mind, was off.

“In certain circumstances the message might not be crystal clear, and if that’s not intimated, a situation like this can come about. He wanted to speak to her to clarify the position.

“He now accepts the relationship is at an end. He takes the view that he has to move on and he is moving on. But he was in the wrong and he accepts that.”

In addition to the non-harassment order, Sheriff Colin McKay imposed a £150 fine.