Ten miles of terror

Mar 13 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A PERTH woman was subjected to a terrifying ordeal as a man, wearing a woman’s skirt and tights, followed her in his car as she drove home from the Crieff Road Tesco’s store in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

During the 10-mile terror trip, the female was constantly aware of Christopher Magilton (37) driving immediately behind her.

She tried to shake him off as she headed to Bridge of Earn and then back into Perth.

When that failed, she turned into the car park of the Edinburgh Road Tesco, where she worked, in a bid to get help.

By that time she was shaking with fear and phoned her daughter to say: “Some creep is following me.”

The police were alerted and traced Magilton in Tay Street.

Inside his car they found a stash of different drugs, as well as a Bowie-style knife hidden under the front passenger’s seat.

A further search also revealed a chilling list of items, including a length of rope, plastic sheeting, a rubber Hallowe’en face mask, gloves, pornographic photographs of women in tights and stockings, a quantity of tights and women’s clothing.

Also recovered were a digital camera, binoculars, pornographic DVDs, a mobile phone and a sat. nav. system.

Magilton, of Dundee, was remanded in custody at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday for reports after Sheriff Robert McCreadie described the case as “deeply alarming”.

He added “It is extremely fortunate the complainer had the presence of mind and ability to turn round and find a refuge.”

The circumstances of the case were “so unusual” that he also called for psychiatric and psychological reports.

Magilton admitted following immediately behind the car through a number of streets in Perth and Bridge of Earn on December 24 and placing the woman, who hasn’t been named, in a state of fear and alarm.

He also further charges of being in possession of cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine. One of them took place at a house in Craigmount Road, Dundee.

Depute fiscal John Malpass said that the woman’s ordeal began at 1.35am as she left the Crieff Road store to return home.

She was alone and began to panic when she became aware of a single car, driven by the accused, travelling directly behind her.

She drove though Craigie and onto the Edinburgh Road and her fear intensified as he ignored a chance to overtake her as she slowed down on a straight stretch near Bridge of Earn.

Depute fiscal John Malpass added: “The complainer attempted to shake him off by turning into the Wicks of Baiglie Road but, to her horror, he followed.”

She then tried driving at speed back towards Perth but he continued his pursuit.

“She saw colleagues standing outside Tesco’s having a cigarette and she approached them in a frightened and alarmed state.”

They also contacted the police, while one of them went to try and get the registration number of the car, which was spotted nearby, with the accused still in it.

Police responded immediately but when he saw them, Magilton drove off but was apprehended in Tay Street.

When interviewed, the accused claimed he had fallen out with his partner, who lived in Dundee, car. But she told police there had been no argument and he had left the flat on good terms.

She told officers that throughout their relationship he had asked that she wear tights during sexual intercourse and he became “highly aroused.”

He also said he liked to wear them as well.

During further questioning, Magilton said he only wore women’s clothing “once in a blue moon”.

He added: “It’s just unfortunate I got caught tonight.”

When asked why he had followed the lone woman, he said: “Friendship – maybe catch her eye – maybe sex. I don’t know.

”I was intending to get to know her better.”

Asked if he had been looking for sex that night, he replied: “I wouldn’t have said no if it came my way. That’s just a fantasy, though.”

When reminded he had followed the victim for 10 miles and it was suggested to him that wasn’t a fantasy but reality, he agreed.

And he confessed: “It was out of order – I didn’t want to scare her.”

Solicitor David Homes said that clearly the accused had caused alarm. He had admitted his involvement at an early stage, however, to spare the woman the ordeal of coming to court.

Magilton claimed he had argued with his girlfriend and had taken drugs that night.

Magilton will be sentenced on April 9. There was no motion for bail.