Pensioner Receives Lifetime Ban for Stalking BBC Scotland Presenter
A 71-year-old pensioner who stalked a BBC Scotland presenter for almost four years has been ordered to stay away from her for life, although he will avoid a prison sentence. Robert Green, from Hillhead in Glasgow, tormented Anne McAlpine by going to her home and sending unwanted gifts, leaving her feeling 'terrified, exposed and vulnerable'. He also wrote love letters and messages referencing Princess Diana and Rangers Football Club to the presenter.
Court Trial and Guilty Verdict
Green had denied the accusations during a trial without a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court in January. However, he was found guilty on Monday of engaging in a course of conduct that caused Ms McAlpine fear and alarm between February 2021 and November 2024. In addition to the stalking charge, Green was convicted of missing two court dates in June and October 2025.
Sheriff Owen Mullan sentenced Green to two years of supervision and imposed a lifetime non-harassment order, which prohibits him from contacting Ms McAlpine. The sheriff described Green's behaviour as 'sinister, unwelcomed and upsetting for your victim', noting that Green showed little remorse or insight into his actions.
Victim's Harrowing Ordeal
Speaking in court, Ms McAlpine detailed the years-long ordeal that significantly impacted her life. The Reporting Scotland presenter recounted an incident in September 2024 when she was dropped home late at night by a colleague and saw a man loitering with a carrier bag. As she started to get out of the car, the man approached, prompting her to ask her colleague to lock the doors and call her husband for assistance.
In November 2024, Ms McAlpine experienced further distress when her house buzzer was pressed twice in the early hours. 'I went to the window and there was a man walking away from the steps,' she told the court. 'He looked towards the window which gave me a fright. I backed away. I looked again and he made off. It made me feel quite scared and uncomfortable - someone buzzing at 5am, you assume the worst.'
Unwanted Letters and Gifts
Ms McAlpine reported the behaviour to police after speaking to a neighbour, and she later identified the stalker as Robert Green. She revealed that Green had been sending 'love letters' to BBC Scotland's headquarters since 2021, arriving three or four times a week. These letters suggested they were in a relationship, commenting on her clothes, gestures, and even how she held her pen on TV.
The 'creepy' notes included detailed descriptions, such as how Ms McAlpine moved her wrists and how her hair was tied back and 'windswept'. One letter was titled 'The Girl of My Dream' and signed by Green, and she also received a Valentine's Day card. Other correspondence referenced her holiday in Cambodia and programmes she featured in. Additionally, Green sent gifts like a CD and a bracelet.
Impact on Daily Life
Ms McAlpine emphasized that the stalking had a 'large impact on the way I live my life and go about my daily business'. She stated, 'It has made me aware of surroundings, being watched. No one should be made to feel unsafe in their own home. That has happened and made me feel uncomfortable with my career choice, which I worked very hard at. It made me feel exposed and vulnerable.'
Sentencing Decision
In his ruling, Sheriff Mullan acknowledged that Green's behaviour passed the custodial threshold but decided against imprisonment due to Green's age, lack of previous convictions, and time spent on remand. 'With some hesitation, I can deal with you today without sending you to prison,' the sheriff said. 'I have taken account of what has been said on your behalf, the background report and the time you have spent on remand. This is a direct alternative to custody.'
This case highlights the severe emotional toll of stalking and the legal measures available to protect victims, even when perpetrators avoid jail time.
