SNS GroupA former lawyer has admitted stalking a woman and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.
David McPherson kept tabs on Rachel O’Neill at her work at a gym in Shawlands, Glasgow between February and May 2020.
The 37-year-old, of the city’s Whitecraigs, sent Ms O’Neill flowers and continued to bombard her with messages after she rejected him.
McPherson also groped a 16-year-old girl outside a bank.
McPherson – who has previous convictions – pled guilty on Tuesday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to stalking Ms O’Neill and sexually assaulting the teenager.
The court heard that McPherson – who practiced in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire – initially sent a bunch of flowers and a bottle of champagne to Ms O’Neill in February 2020.
The accompanying card said: “Happy Valentine’s Day, Rachel.”
McPherson sent a further bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates 12 days later.
That card with it read: “Hi Rachel, if you fancy a coffee give me a text, from your secret admirer, David.”
Ms O’Neill sent a text thanking McPherson for the items, to which he responded that she was “welcome.”
McPherson sent further messages including two pictures of himself which the victim did not reply to.
He then asked Ms O’Neill out for a coffee to which she replied: “I’m seeing someone else, I wish you all the best.”
McPherson responded that he was “broken hearted” and sent a further message regarding her body before asking to meet her in a park.
Prosecutor Darren Harty said: “This caused her alarm as she goes for walks in that park.
“He sent a further message saying ‘Speak to me Rachel, I’m lonely just like you’.
“Ms O’Neill sent McPherson a message saying ‘I told you I’m not interested, stop contacting me’.”
Police were contacted after McPherson made threats to end his life and he was arrested.
The court was then told the 16-year-old was near a Royal Bank of Scotland in Shawlands on April 1, 2020.
Mr Harty said: “McPherson approached the victim from behind and grabbed her by the buttocks.”
Officers attended and he was arrested again.
His lawyer Garvey McArdle will make his plea in mitigation at next month’s sentencing pending background reports.
McPherson was put on the sex offenders register meantime by sheriff Barry Divers.
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