He appeared in court via video-link from jail for the sentencing.

Sheriff Charles Macnair jailed Matthews for three years and six months as part of an extended sentence of five years.

Under an extended sentence, prisoners are released after serving the custodial part of the sentence followed by supervision in the community under the end of the overall term.

Matthews was also put on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.

Further, he was made the subject of a non-harassment order, also for an indefinite period to protect the victim. As part of the order, he was also banned from entering Glencraig and Lochore Meadows Country Park.

As Matthews has been held in custody, the sentence was backdated to March 27.

Matthews was convicted of a charge that between April 1, 2020, and January14 last year, at locations including the A92, Lochore Meadows and Glencraig, he engaged in an abusive course of conduct towards a woman.

He followed a vehicle being driven by her, drove in close proximity, carried out an overtaking manoeuvre, drove in front of her, and braked harshly whereby she had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

He repeatedly approached, followed her and attempted to engage her in conversation.

He attended, loitered outside and entered her home uninvited.

He touched her repeatedly on the body and seized her breasts and buttocks.

He refused to leave her home, forced the door open, causing it to strike her to her injury.

He threw a jar at her door, causing damage to it.

He pinned her against a sofa, rubbed his body against her, seized her hand and attempted to force it inside his trousers.

He exposed his penis and forced her to engage in sex acts with him.

He pulled up her top and committed a sex act on her.

He shouted, swore and threw a set of car keys.

He contacted her repeatedly by phone, email and text message. He also bought her gifts repeatedly, arranged for shopping to be delivered to her, left shopping and other items at her door and threatened to kill himself.