A DUNFERMLINE man began stalking a woman after she ended their brief relationship.

She wanted nothing more to do with him but delusional Barry Johnston still thought they could get back together.

His conduct landed him with a one-year ‘tag’ and he ran from the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court after hearing the sentence for a string of offences.

Johnston, 46, of Bute Crescent, previously admitted that on August 4 last year at his home, he was unlawfully in possession of cannabis resin and diamorphine - heroin.

He was also in possession of an offensive weapon, a knuckleduster.

Johnston also admitted that between September 25 and October 18, 2022, at Glenrothes and elsewhere in Fife, he engaged in stalking conduct towards his former partner by sending numerous social media messages and emails, phone calls and contacted her friends and relatives.

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Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the woman had met Johnston at a gym. They were in a relationship for a short time but she ended it as she “always felt on edge when she was with him”.

She told him it was over but he did not accept this, sending her messages which varied from saying he loved her to he hated her.

He also said he hoped her dad, who was fighting cancer, would die.

Defence solicitor Alan Davie said: “He should be old enough to deal with the end of a relationship.”

Sheriff Susan Duff commented: “It doesn’t seem like there was much of a relationship.”

The sheriff imposed a one-year restriction of liberty order and a two-year non-harassment order.

However, before the sheriff clerk could confirm the sentence, Johnston ran from the dock and out of the court building.