A female police officer has appeared in court accused of waging a stalking campaign against her former lesbian lover.
Constable Lynne Petrie appeared handcuffed from custody to face a charge of harassing her ex-lover and Police Scotland colleague Constable Victoria Riches.
She is alleged to have caused "fear and alarm" to Ms Riches by bombarding her with a series of messages over a period lasting more than two months.
Tayside-based Ms Petrie, 39, is alleged to have engaged in a course of conduct against Ms Riches between March 8 and May 20 that caused fear and alarm.
The petition alleges that she used a variety of media to harass Ms Riches after being told their relationship was over.
Ms Petrie, from Newport-on-Tay, Fife, is alleged to have repeatedly contacted her estranged girlfriend by means of phone calls, text messages, email and Facebook messages.
It is alleged Ms Petrie sent the messages to Ms Riches' personal accounts and to her mother Margaret Riches.
The petition, heard in private at Perth Sheriff Court, also alleges her messages caused her former partner to believe she was being spied on.
The officer made no plea during the five-minute hearing and she was granted bail.
The case was continued for further examination by Sheriff Mark Stewart.
He imposed special conditions of bail, including banning Ms Petrie from contacting Ms Riches or her mother.
It is understood Ms Petrie served for several years with Tayside Police before the amalgamation of Scotland's forces.
Ms Riches also serves Police Scotland and was a Kinross-based officer under the Tayside Police banner.
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