A MAN accused of stalking and allegedly bombarding a woman with more than 500 messages has been banned from Kilwinning.

Ian McPhail, 41, was given a total ban from the town when he entered not guilty pleas to accusations of stalking and breaching a court order not to get in touch with the woman when he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last Monday [May 4].

Court papers stated he was accused of causing his former partner fear and alarm by repeatedly contacting her by text and social media app Facebook Messenger between April 1 and May 1 in Kilwinning and elsewhere.

The court heard he had allegedly sent a total of 364 Facebook messages and 200 texts over one day during this period.

He also faced a second charge of breaching a court order by entering her home street having been ordered not to contact her or enter the street when he was granted bail on February 6 while accused on another matter.

Court papers state both charges are aggravated by involving alleged abuse of an ex partner.

The court heard McPhail had moved to Scotland and was currently residing in a private let, with his address listed as Glenapp Street, Glasgow.

He had also previously suffered a brain injury after being assaulted with a hammer and was on benefits.

Sheriff Higgins reminded McPhail he now faced a Section 39 stalking accusation and that he must not enter Kilwinning, must remain at home from 7pm-7am and report to his local police office every Wednesday.

He warned him he ‘must not use any communication’ to get in touch with the complainer, adding ‘no letters, no emails’ and he would be back before court ‘if you do’, before granting bail.

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