A PENSIONER has admitted stalking a retirement housing association employee over the course of three years.

Robert Entwistle pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of conduct likely to cause the woman fear and alarm by sending her numerous unwanted communications via letters and online at Greenlaw and in Duns between January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2019.

The 70-year-old of Priorwood Court, Melrose, had sentence deferred at Jedburgh Sheriff Court until June 10 for the production of background reports.

The court was told how the woman was an Eildon Housing Association employee and managed the development in Greenlaw where Entwistle was staying at the time.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Entwistle had been warned by a police officer not to contact the woman anymore and she had blocked him on her Facebook page.

But he still persisted in contacting her through a Greenlaw Facebook page in which they were both members.

The stalking included leaving a bag containing knickers, a key ring and a St Valentine's Day card hanging from the wing mirror of the 53-year-old woman's vehicle.

Defence lawyer Greg McDonnel said his client was a first offender and he no longer had any contact with the woman.