Man who stalked law firm is jailed

Apr 10 2008

A CONVICTED stalker has admitted breaching a non-harassment order after he made an abusive phone call to a solicitor.

Martin Docherty (38), of Campbell Street, Hamilton called an employee of Motherwell firm Bruce McCormack last Saturday, April 5 and swore at him.

Docherty’s non-harassment order, which was imposed in August 2005, after he admitted a breach of the peace, states he cannot contact the firm.

But this latest breach of the order has landed Docherty in police custody.

This is not the first time the 38-year-old has breached his non-harassment order.

In February, Sheriff Bryan Adair sentenced Docherty to 18 months’ probation.

One of the conditions of the order stated that Docherty should attend alcohol counselling.

He was placed on probation after he admitted threatening and intimidating staff of the Lanarkshire law firm.

He repeatedly phoned and texted employees of the Motherwell solicitors between May and November 2007.

He also admitted shouting, swearing and threatening lawyers and their staff.

Docherty further threatened to slit the throat of a female member of staff.

It is understood that Docherty has been pestering staff at the solicitors for over six years, making thousands of phone calls and texts, including calls to mobile numbers during the night.

Docherty has also been said to hang about outside the Merry Street firm’s offices.

He has a long criminal record and previous convictions include assault, housebreaking and breach of the peace.

On Monday at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Docherty appeared in the dock for the latest breach.

Sheriff David Bicket deferred sentence until a date in May and called for reports meantime.

The judge ordered Docherty to be detained in custody until he appears for sentencing.