Stefan Taylor: Stalked mum and daughter he spotted at Tynecastle

Stefan Taylor, 33, was in attendance at Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh – home of Heart of Midlothian FC – when he saw the two women sitting near to him in the stands.

Taylor was said to be attracted to the younger woman and soon began following both women in an effort to find out more about them.

The stalking campaign came to an end after the women spotted Taylor following them in his car earlier this year and called the police.

Taylor, of George Crescent, previously admitted the offence during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and returned to the dock for sentencing last Friday.

Matthew Nicholson, representing Taylor, told the court that his client felt “deep embarrassment and shame at his behaviour” and had been suffering from poor mental health at the time of the offending.

'Attracted to the daughter'

The lawyer added that Taylor had found the court process to be “extremely distressing” and had “no issues” with a non-harassment order being imposed.

In sentencing, Sheriff Alistair Noble said: “You have pled guilty to two stalking offences involving a mother and daughter.

“It appears you first saw the mother and daughter at a football match where you were seated nearby.

“As you explained matters to a social worker that you were attracted to the daughter but before approaching her you started following them to find out a bit more about them before you could hopefully engage with the daughter.

“That obviously didn’t happen, but what did happen was you followed them for an extended period.”

The court heard that Taylor followed the pair in a vehicle and they were forced to “change direction” several times as they were aware they were being followed in March this year.

'Great alarm'

The sheriff said that the women had “expressed great alarm by your behaviour” and handed Taylor a five-year non-harassment order banning him from having any contact with them.

Sheriff Noble also deferred full sentence to November for Taylor to be of good behaviour and for a supplementary report to be prepared.

The sheriff added: “I do recognise your previous good character and I will deal with you leniently if there is no more offending during that period.”

Taylor admitted to engaging in a course of conduct which caused two women fear and alarm by following them on occasions at Tynecastle Park, and elsewhere, between September 1, 2021, and March 31 this year.