A young man who had been imagining a relationship with the woman of his dreams for the past four years landed on the wrong side of the law by refusing to take no for an answer.

The 29-year old unemployed had apparently been stalking and harassing the young lady since 2014, having known other members of her family for a long time.

A simple friendship was apparently not enough for the man whose attraction eventually developed into an obsession which spelt a nightmare for the young woman and the rest of her family members.

Incessant calls and messages were followed by unexpected and unwelcome visits to the home and workplace of the victim and her relatives.

After years of silent endurance, the woman finally decided to take action, turning to the police for help.

The alleged culprit was arrested and arraigned, pleading not guilty to charges of stalking, harassment and threats through electronic means.

As both the prosecution and the defence made submissions on bail, a rather different picture emerged as to the behaviour of the young man.

“This is not a man who was ever violent. Here is a man who is mentally unwell,” defence lawyer Gianella de Marco explained, pointing out that it would benefit all parties concerned if her client were to be given the necessary treatment.

Prosecuting Inspector Jonathan Ransley backed this argument, observing that it would not be healthy for the man to be kept in prison and that the prosecution would not file any objections to bail so long as the man abided by strict conditions.

“As long as he understands that a no is a no, there should be no further problems,” the prosecution pointed out.

In light of such circumstances, the court, presided over by magistrate Neville Camilleri, upheld the request for bail against a deposit of €500, a personal guarantee of €2,000 and a specific order of subjecting himself to psychiatric treatment.

The man was also ordered to sign the bail book three times a week, to abide by a curfew between 7pm and 6am and to refrain from making any form of contact with the victim and her family, in terms of a Protection Order valid throughout the proceedings.

The court issued a ban on the publication of names of all parties.

Before reading out the bail decree, Magistrate Camilleri addressed the young man’s anxious parents, seated at the back of the courtroom, observing that they had a responsibility to shoulder in ensuring that their son would abide by court orders.