A FOOTBALL coach found guilty of threatening to publish intimate images of a female member of Ayr United has dodged jail time after he was kicked out of the club for his behaviour. 

Cameron Robertson, 61, previously manager of the club’s women’s team, denied a charge of stalking the woman between January 2018 and May 2022.

He was eventually found guilty, not of stalking but of threatening behaviour towards the woman over a four-month period in 2022.

When he returned to Ayr Sheriff Court last week for sentencing, defence solicitor Derek Pettigrew said: “There is a full [social work] report available and contains no surprises. He is 61 years of age and never been in trouble before.

“His behaviour really did him no favours, he realises it was completely inappropriate."

Sheriff MacTaggart said she was “concerned he was continually playing down events and not facing up to the criminality of what he did".

She added:  “I understand his position at trial but there comes a point where he has to stop trying to justify that and accept he crossed line into criminality and unacceptable behaviour.  

“Something needs to be worked on as he moves forward on what is appropriate and inappropriate to female colleagues.” 

Mr Pettigrew added that his client he will no longer be involved in lady’s football and thinks his time as coach is over, adding "it’s just extremely unfortunate this young lady bore the brunt of this behaviour". 

He said there would be no difficulty with a non-harassment order. 

A trial heard the woman politely asked Robertson not to send her messages that weren’t about club business before telling him to stop contacting her altogether. 

Robertson, of Inverkar Road, Ayr, had been accused of staring at the woman, following her and later threatening - via emails and social media messages - to reveal messages and photographs of her. 

The woman told the trial that at first it was a “fine, friendly” relationship, before “some inappropriate text messages” were exchanged, including a picture within text messages.

She said: “It became overbearing. It was messages morning to night, starting at 5.50am then past midnight. 

“He would not take the hint. Seeing the name on the phone caused me anxiety.”

After complaints were raised with the club, the court heard Robertson then posted a series of social media comments and later emailed the club threatening to disclose private pictures.  

She said: "He sent an email threatening to publish and expose pictures if they didn't get rid of me.

"I felt sick to my stomach. I think I actually nearly passed out. The room was spinning.

"It was a very difficult time in my life. I don't use fear for my life lightly. I could barely sleep and had cameras installed.”

Giving evidence in his defence, Robertson admitted his behaviour was “regrettable”.  

He said: "I'm ashamed. I hold my hands up to that. They were just empty threats. I wouldn't have done that.

“The messages were fluid and all involved in what we were doing. I did think we were good friends and bouncing off each other."

During the trial, the procurator fiscal depute amended the charge to beginning in 2022, to remove 'follow' her replacing with "make comments about her on social media and to others".  

Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart found Robertson guilty of engaging in a course of conduct that caused the victim fear and alarm between January 1 and May 1, 2022. 

She said: "There was a significant number of messages exchanged, and it did at first seem more conversational than anything else. On the face of it she was a willing participant.  

"However, there came a point where a line was drawn and the conduct became criminal in nature.”  

The sheriff added: "I'm not sure the context I have to put this in makes this any less serious for you.

"You were in a position where you had some degree of control and should not have conducted yourself in that manner. 

"That final email is what makes this very serious for you. Don't be in any doubt about that."  

On sentencing Robertson, Sheriff Mactaggart said: “You heard my comments, I hope you take  them on board.

"You have to accept what you did here was wholly inappropriate and of a criminal in nature and there comes a point where you have to stop justifying it to others and yourself. 

"I'm going to put you on a community payback order as apposed to a custodial sentence and under supervision for a supervising officer for 18 months and he will force you to to work on that attitude.

"If you do anything like this again you are in very serious trouble."

He was also placed on a non-harassment order forbidding approaching or any contact with the woman for two years.