Adele Rennie, from Kilmarnock, pretended to be a male pharmacist when she matched with her victim on the dating platform Tinder in August 2023.

They exchanged mobile phone numbers with the 33-year-old later arranging to have flowers delivered to the victim’s home address. The woman then arranged to go on a date with the man from the fake profile.

On August 21, 2023, Rennie cancelled the meeting last minute which resulted in the victim believing that the Tinder account was a ‘catfish profile’. On August 27, the victim received a voice note from a woman who called herself ‘Cheryl’, claiming to be a friend of the man and asking her “not to give up on him”.

She then received calls from the man which she believed sounded like the voice had been altered. On September 5, the victim received an unwanted explicit image from Rennie, who stated that she did not mean anything by it and was unable to delete it. Various other incidents followed.

Rennie appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on July 30 where she admitted four charges.

On September 13, she was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a 12-month Supervised Release Order at the same court. She was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of 10 years.

A non-harassment order, banning Rennie from approaching, contacting, or attempting to approach or contact her victim for a period of five years was granted. She was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for a period of five years.

David Bernard, procurator fiscal for North Strathclyde, said: “Adele Rennie carried out a sophisticated stalking campaign despite being subject to strict notification requirements as a registered sex offender.

“We recognise that the trauma suffered by victims of stalking can be profound and distressing. We hope this conviction brings some comfort to those affected by Rennie’s concerning and manipulative behaviour.”