A SERVING police officer who admitted a stalking offence involving a colleague after their relationship ended has been fined £2,400 and banned from contacting her for two years.

Married Deryck Cluckie, 43, struck up a relationship with the female police constable while she was stationed in Stranraer, Wigtownshire.

But when the affair ended and she moved away to Peebles he continued to bombard her with text messages causing her fear and alarm, questioning her new romantic relationship, uttering threats to harm himself, making derogatory remarks about her and her new partner, messaging her through email and Paypal, and threatening to visit her home address despite being told not to contact her.

The offending happened over a two-month period between September and November 2021.

Drew Long, prosecuting, told Jedburgh Sheriff Court the woman had been left "extremely traumatised by this" and wanted a Non-Harassment Order imposed.

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Defence lawyer Christopher Shaw said the couple had exchanged thousands of text messages over the years, including hundreds in a day and describing her as an "emotional crutch and confidante".

Mr Shaw said they had a "brief relationship" but when the woman "moved on with her romantic life" Cluckie found it difficult to accept.

He was also suffering from depression at the time and had suicidal thoughts but he struggled to repair the relationship platonically.

Mr Shaw said the woman was trying to protect her new relationship but Cluckie continued to send text messages and the lawyer added: "He accepts the conduct was not acceptable.

"He accepts she can no longer be there for him."

Mr Shaw said Cluckie had not been in contact with the woman since November 2021 and had received assistance with anti-depressants.

He added that the risk of re-offending was extremely low, pointing out the couple no longer work together and do not live near each other.

The lawyer said Cluckie was still in full-time employment but "that employment was in jeopardy with disciplinary proceedings in the background".

He said the outcome of this case was being awaited before any decision was made and he urged Sheriff Neil Kinnear to impose a significant fine instead of custody, a Caledonian Men's Programme course or a community payback order disposal.

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Sheriff Kinnear said: "I am sure you are aware given your job this is a serious offence which caused considerable distress to the victim. It had taken into account that it is your first offence and you have not been in any trouble.

"You seem to, until now, not have had any difficulties but you were having personal challenges at the time."

The sheriff said courts often dealt with people who could not move on from previous relationship but felt assured that Cluckie "now recognised" what he did was wrong.

He said: "You have recognised this relationship was over since November 2021 and there has been no further contact."

Sheriff Kinnear discounted a fine of £3,000 to £2,400 due to the timing of the plea stating: "It is a high fine reflecting the seriousness of the offence."

A £75 Victim Surcharge was imposed and a Non-Harassment Order for two years was made forbidding Cluckie to have any contact with his former partner.

Cluckie – whose address was given as that of Police Scotland's professional standards department in Glasgow – pleaded guilty to a stalking charge between September 30, 2021 and November 12, 2021, and at a house in Peebles he engaged in a course of behaviour which caused his partner or ex-partner fear and alarm.

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Cluckie – who is currently on restricted duties with Police Scotland – had an affair with his colleague despite being married.

He continued to live with his wife and children while the "intimate relationship" carried on after meeting while both based in Stranraer.

In a written narrative presented to the court, it emerged the woman wanted to end the relationship in July 2021.

But Cluckie became jealous of her new relationship and continued to message her.

It stated the woman blocked his number but he contacted her through Paypal paying her one pence so he could continue to send her message.

Cluckie also threatened to take his own life if she did not unblock his number which she did.

He sent various abusive messages about her new partner which resulted in a complaint to the police.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are aware of the outcome in court and this will now be considered by the Professional Standards Department for further action."