A VALE man who refused to leave his ex alone after she ended their relationship will find out his fate just before Christmas.

George Spence, 40, of Manse Court, Haldane, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday after pleading guilty to engaging in a course of conduct which caused his former partner fear and alarm at an address in Braehead in Bonhill between April 1 and August 2 this year.

Fiscal depute Emma Petterson told the court: "The complainer and the accused were in a relationship for four years; this ended in early January this year.

"In April the complainer made known her desire for no further contact.

"On August 3 the complainer told police the accuse consistently wanted to talk to her and would not leave her alone.

"She said hs had continually been emailing her; this was unwanted and she requested that he stop.

"The complainer took steps to remove or block the accused from her social media accounts.

"Police attended at the accused's place of work, cautioned him, and he said 'I know what this is about'.

"During a police interview he acknowledged his behaviour and expressed regret."

The case involved a young child.

Sheriff William Gallacher told Spence that his sentence would be deferred until December 23 pending an assessment of his suitability for a place on West Dunbartonshire's PAIR programme for male domestic abuse offenders and clarification of the Crown's position on a non-harassment order.

The sheriff said: "This is unacceptable, however much you view it as something you are entitled to do.

"You don't appear to recognise that that is a situation someone is entitled to have a view on. It's not up to you to decide they've got it wrong – it's not your choice, it's theirs."

Spence will return to court for sentencing on December 23.