Two in court on Inverness fear campaign charges

TWO men have have been charged with a series of vandalism offences and engaging in a course of conduct which placed an man and woman in fear and alarm over a period of nearly two years at two addresses in Inverness.

The allegations include:

* pouring paint stripper over two cars at at house in Inshes View;

* slashing tyres on a car at a house in Firthview Drive;

* painting graffiti on the properties;

* sending pornographic material, letters, cards and presents to Helen Morrison and loitering outside the house in Inshes View wearing a balaclava or dark clothing.

Robert Watson (60), of Forbes Hill, Forres, pleaded not guilty at Inverness Sheriff Court on Tuesday to four charges of wilfully damaging property at Inshes View between March 29 and December 10, 2010, by spraying graffiti on walls and on September 21, 2010 spraying graffiti at 70 Firthview Drive.

Watson and Brian Wallace (44) of High Street, Forres, deny while acting together on various dates between December 13, 2010 and December 25, 2011 engaging in a course of conduct causing alarm to Helen Morrison at Inshes View and Brian Christie at Firthview Drive by loitering at Inshes View, repeatedly driving past the house and undertaking acts of vandalism.

An intermediate hearing has been fixed for August 7 and trial set for September 5.