A MAN who threatened and harassed his frightened ex-partner and her new boyfriend for seven months begged a sheriff not to convict him — because he had a 'broken heart'.

David Downie pleaded through his lawyer for an absolute discharge — which would mean that no crime would be recorded — despite placing his victim in a prolonged state of fear and alarm.

Downie, 49, went to the homes of the woman's new man and her mother and left items of a sensitive and personal nature as well as a note which 'disgusted' his victim and sparked a call to police.

His menacing course of conduct began on December 1 last year and continued until July 11, but he still wanted to leave Greenock Sheriff Court without a blemish on his character.

However, Sheriff Thomas Ward told the Kilmacolm man: "I can't think of any case less deserving of an absolute discharge.

"You're lucky you're not facing a prison sentence."

The court heard how married Downie had been having an 'on-off' affair with the woman since 2013 and she continued to see him after beginning her new relationship.

He intensified his intimidating behaviour after she visited him and decided to 'distance herself'.

Prosecutor Frankie Morgan said: "Since December last year the other man has received 28 Facebook messages from the accused and one, in April, disclosed information about the complainer which was of a sensitive nature.

"On the evening of July 10, in the space of 45 minutes, the complainer received 16 WhatsApp messages from the accused.

"She took one to be of a threatening nature and did not reply to any of the messages, as she didn't want to antagonise the situation further.

"The complainer did not want personal information disclosed."

But Downie persisted and left items at the new partner's house — including a sex toy — and a post-it note at the mother's door, the content of which was so extreme that fiscal depute Mr Morgan did not read it out in open court and instead passed the message to Sheriff Ward.

Mr Morgan said: "The complainer was disgusted that such personal matters were disclosed, and as a consequence of that all matters were reported to the police.

"The accused was arrested on July 12, he gave a no comment interview and made no reply when cautioned and charged."

Defence lawyer Matthew Berlow tendered a series of 'glowing testimonials' on Downie's behalf and said his client had 'empathy' with the victim.

Mr Berlow said: "He expresses regret and remorse.

"There are factors here and in Mr Downie's life that I hope gravitate towards no conviction or a deferment of conviction to allow for a period of good behaviour."

The solicitor added that the offences were 'totally out of character' for Downie, that he was a 'very emotional and very sensitive man' whose 'heart had been broken' by the victim.

Mr Berlow argued that former UK fly-fishing champion Downie's employment at an angling centre and sideline fishing trips to America could be affected by a conviction.

The lawyer added: "Mr Downie also runs a karate club, primarily for children whose parents sing his praises.

"An absolute discharge would allow him to get over this broken and toxic relationship."

Sheriff Thomas Ward told Downie: "I think this is a very serious crime and it began on December 1 last year and you persisted until July 11 this year with actions that no right minded person would think of doing."

Downie, of Leperstone Avenue in Kilmacolm, was fined £900 and given 28 days to pay.

He has also been made subject to a non-harassment order preventing him from approaching or contacting his ex, or attempting to do so, in any way for a period of two years.