‘Stalker’ flew 10,000 miles from Australia to Scotland to track down ex-girlfriend he first met online gaming at her home and bombarded her with messages and flowers, court hears
- Jordan McKenzie, 27, originally from Australia met victim through online gaming
- He flew over to Scotland to meet her but their romance ended a few weeks later
- McKenzie returned to Brisbane but began sending the woman flowers and gifts
- He then flew back to Scotland and turned up at her door and she rang the police
- Even while in prison on remand, McKenzie continued sending letters from cell
- Now he has admitted stalking the woman, but has asked a judge to change plea
An alleged stalker who flew 10,000 miles from Australia to track down his former girlfriend in Scotland as part a 13-month campaign of harassment has pleaded with a judge to let him withdraw his guilty plea.
It is alleged that Jordan McKenzie, 27, bombarded the woman with messages and sent her flowers and other gifts from his home in Brisbane, Australia, after they met through online gaming.
She ended their romance after a few weeks and he returned home only to begin bombarding her with flowers and gifts.
But when the care home worker refused to have further contact with him, he made a malicious allegation against her to the Nursery and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Jordan McKenzie, 27, is accused of bombarding the woman with messages and sent her flowers and other gifts from his home in Brisbane, Australia, after they met through online gaming
McKenzie threatened to fly back to Scotland and ultimately did arrive on her doorstep. The woman phoned police and he was arrested.
After his arrest McKenzie continued to send her letters from his cell in HMP Barlinnie, Glasgow.
McKenzie appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court in January and admitted a 13-month harassment campaign against the woman and two others between March 2020 and April last year.
He was due to be sentenced today. But appearing via video link from HMP Barlinnie said he wanted to change his plea.
Robert Mitchell, his former solicitor, said: ‘Mr McKenzie wishes to withdraw his plea of guilty previously tendered.
‘He has made some serious allegations on how he made that plea of guilty.
‘In my discussions with him, I have come to the conclusion that I withdraw from acting because he feels he has been misled and that is something which leaves me uncomfortable.’
Sheriff Fergus Thomson continued the case until later this month for McKenzie to find a new lawyer.
McKenzie appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court (pictured) In January and admitted a 13-month harassment campaign against the woman and two others between March 2020 and April last year. He was due to be sentenced today. But appearing via video link from HMP Barlinnie said he wanted to change his plea
He added: ‘If you wish to withdraw your plea of guilty which was made on legal advice, I’m going to give you one last chance but the court needs to make progress.
‘I’m not being told by Mr Mitchell that the motion to withdraw can’t be made only that he doesn’t feel comfortable making it.
‘I wouldn’t be minded to give you another extension after this and you will be given a short time frame to find new representation.’
McKenzie was remanded in custody.
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