A COUNTY man tried to get into his ex-partner's car before later following her in his own vehicle, a court heard this week.

Jamie McKee caused his former partner fear and alarm by carrying out the abusive behaviour over a four-week period earlier this year.

McKee, of Rothesay Place, Lewisvale, Musselburgh, repeatedly telephoned the woman and left her voicemails when she did wish to be contacted.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told that he also approached the woman and attempted to enter her vehicle during an incident at Newhailes Retail Park on February 20.

The 40-year-old then prevented her from reversing her vehicle out of the car park and followed her in his own vehicle towards Newcraighall Road.

The court also heard that McKee pulled up alongside the woman’s car and shouted at her, and followed her to her brother’s home and to the Tesco supermarket in Musselburgh.

The offender was later arrested after his behaviour, which was carried out between January 23 and February 26, was reported to the police and he admitted the charges when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on June 28.

Social work reports were called for and sentence was deferred to this week.

McKee returned to the dock on Monday, where Sheriff Charles Walls was told that the social work report recommended McKee attend an assessment by the Caledonian Men’s Programme.

Sheriff Walls agreed to follow the recommendation and ordered McKee to attend the appointment with the domestic abuse organisation and further deferred sentence to September 16.