Man sent hoax bomb to former friend in Govan over her new relationship amid stalking campaign

A jealous man sent a former friend a hoax bomb during a year long stalking campaign after she started a new relationship with another man.

Kristofor Kemp hounded the woman with unwanted gifts and messages between June 2017 and July 2018.

After being told to stop sending flowers and other gifts to the victim, the 23-year-old left the A4 envelope containing a black box and a battery at her door step resulting in her home and the surrounding areas being evacuated.

A bomb disposal unit were then called to the scene in Glasgow’s Govan area and later discovered the device to be a hoax.

On Friday, Kemp pled guilty to a single charge of stalking at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The court heard that Kemp and the victim were friends between April 2017 and April 2018.

It was said their contact “changed” as a result of the victim starting a relationship with another man.

Kemp sent numerous text messages urging her to end her relationship.

Prosecutor Frankie Morgan said: “She began to receive unwanted items delivered to her such as flowers and other gifts.

“She asked Kemp to stop sending items as it was ‘upsetting her'”.

Kemp responded and threatened to “throw his car off a cliff” and then continued to send items to her and make threats.

Matters culminated on July 19, 2018, when an A4 sized unstamped jiffy envelope was left at the victim’s door.

Mr Morgan added: “Inside the package was a small black box with black tape around it.

“Inside it, wires were attached to a piece of paper.

“Others present believed this was an explosive device.”

A 999 call was made and a number of houses in the street were evacuated.

The Royal Navy Disposal Unit later attended to x-ray the package but were unable to disable it.

Mr Morgan said: “As a direct consequence, further residents were evacuated.”

The device was soaked by a high-powered water hose which did not explode the device which was then deemed “safe” and a “hoax”.

Kemp was forensically traced as being responsible and he was arrested.

Calum Weir, defending, will make his plea in mitigation at next month’s sentencing.

Sheriff Andrew Cubie said: “Be in no doubt, this is a very serious offence with serious consequences not just for the victim but the considerable resources caused by your own actions.

“All options remain open and be under no illusion about that.”

Kemp, of the city’s Nitshill, was granted bail meantime.