stalking his ex-girlfriend on two separate occasions.

Melvin Santucci of Pearman's Hill will not be sentenced for the offences until June 8 but his lawyer may take "a different course of action'' in the meantime.

It is believed his attorney, Kim Wilson, may appeal Senior Magistrate William Francis' judgment.

The two separate offences occurred on February 5 in Devonshire and Smith's Parish and on February 11 in Southampton. They both involved his ex-girlfriend Christine Evette Pearman.

Ms Wilson originally called for the offences to be tried separately but later asked that they be tried together.

Mr. Francis recounted the evidence given at the trial by Ms Pearman and Police officers involved in the case.

The court heard that Santucci and Ms Pearman lived together for about a year and a half but broke up last September.

Mr. Francis said testimony from Ms Pearman about three incidents where Santucci terrorised her in Hamilton gave him the background of why she was frightened of the man.

He noted that Ms Wilson had objected to this evidence being given but pointed out that he allowed it because she felt it was necessary for him to hear it.

On one occasion, Santucci approached Ms Pearman on Church Street and behaved in a threatening manner.

Later that same day, he drove his car up behind her car as she attempted to reverse out of a parking bay. She was so frightened that she went straight to the Police and he followed her there.

And on another occasion he followed her around the city and caused her "fear and apprehension'', said Mr. Francis.

On February 5 at about 9 p.m., Ms Pearman was driving her car east along South Road in Devonshire when she went past Santucci who was driving a car in the opposite direction.

As she approached Santucci's car, he turned on his high beams and after she passed him she saw him turn around and follow her. She sped up to get away from him and turned on to Brighton Hill but he caught up with her and drove so closely behind her car that she was afraid of a collision.

He eventually broke off the chase and Ms Pearman went to Dub City Record Shack and called the Police. Two officers then escorted her home.

On the evening of February 11, Ms Pearman was driving along Middle Road in Southampton when she saw Santucci's car waiting at the side of the road.

Santucci followed her until she pulled in at Raynor's Garage and then drove away. Ms Pearman called the Police who came to her and while she was talking to the officers, Santucci drove past the gas station.

When he saw the officers he drove away. They went after him but were unable to catch him.

Mr. Francis noted that Ms Wilson did not challenge these facts but argued that the only act her client did was follow Ms Pearman which did not qualify as stalking.

He said he ruled that Santucci did more than this as he followed Ms Pearman, shone his high beams at her, drove closely behind her, waited for her at the side of a public road and after following her, returned to Raynor's Garage in order to follow her again.

Because of this, said Mr. Francis, Santucci was guilty of two cases of stalking.

Ms Wilson said she was not ready to proceed with sentencing and asked for the matter to be adjourned for more than ten days as "there may be another course that I might take''.

If an appeal is not launched, Santucci will be sentenced in Magistrates' Court on June 8.