Lockdown ‘lurker’ will go on trial accused of hiding in bushes then invading personal space of women taking their daily exercise throughout Covid stay-at-home restrictions
- Mark Russell, 33, was due to face trial today but case postponed until October 6
- Seven women claim he targeted them during the pandemic and another before
- Russell, from Dollar, denied all eight charges at Falkirk Sheriff Court last May
A lockdown ‘lurker’ will go on trial accused of hiding in bushes then invading the personal space of women taking their daily exercise throughout the Covid-19 stay-at-home restrictions.
Mark Russell, 33, was set to face trial today but has had his case postponed ‘administratively’ – without an appearance in open court – until October 6.
Seven women have claimed they were targeted by Russell throughout the pandemic, and an eighth woman was allegedly followed in the run-up to the crisis.
it is alleged the incidents took place near the foot of the Ochils Hills in Clackmannanshire and on the West Fife Way cycle route between Clackmannan and Dunfermline.
Russell is said to have behaved in a threatening and abusive manner, which was likely to cause a reasonable person fear and alarm. In the case of the eight alleged victims, this was by ‘maintaining unnecessarily close proximity’ to them.
Mark Russell, 33, was set to face trial today but has had his case postponed ‘administratively’ – without an appearance in open court – until October 6. Pictured: National Cycle Route 767
Seven women have claimed they were targeted by Russell throughout the pandemic, and an eighth woman was allegedly followed in the run-up to the crisis. Pictured: The West Fife Way cycle route
The final alleged incident took place on May 7 when it is claimed Russell concealed himself in bushes before pursuing two female passersby on the West Fife Way.
It was said he ‘knowingly failing to observe Government Covid-19 social distancing guidelines’ while doing so, and thereafter returning to conceal himself in bushes.
Russell allegedly breached an undertaking he had previously given to police to stay away from ‘cycle paths, nature trails or secluded areas that could be construed as popular walking routes by the public’.
It was said that on March 11 and April 1, Russell pursued and maintained an unnecessarily close proximity to two women on National Cycle Route 767 between Dollar and Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire.
it is alleged the incidents took place near the foot of the Ochils Hills in Clackmannanshire (pictured) and on the West Fife Way cycle route between Clackmannan and Dunfermline
Later, on April 11, he allegedly pursued a woman and failed to observe social distancing measures in Menstrie. He then reportedly followed another woman on a public footpath on April 21.
Another alleged incident took place on May 3, when he is accused of following a woman near Devonknowes Farm, Coalsnaughton. He then concealed himself in bushes and pursued her again, staying close to her and flouting lockdown rules.
The earliest allegations relate to December 1, 2019 and January 19, 2021.
Russell, from Dollar, pleaded not guilty to all eight charges against him when he appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last May.
He was released on bail, subject to a curfew.