Woman who bombarded a man with sex messages after a room renting scam later brandished a knife as she shouted in the street.

A Dunfermline woman was sentenced for a series of offenses including theft, harassment, and sending explicit messages.

Louise Ramsay, 34, of Kellock Avenue, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing on multiple charges. She had previously pleaded guilty to stealing a total of £1,215 from three individuals between December 1st, 2022, and February 28th, 2023.

Ramsay admitted to advertising her spare room for rent on Craigslist and Facebook, accepting deposits from individuals who were then unable to move in. One victim, a young man, was also subjected to a barrage of explicit text messages from Ramsay.

"The thefts relate to the accused renting out a spare room at her home," said Depute Fiscal Jill Currie. "People would agree to stay there and pay a deposit, but they would not be permitted to move in until they were repaid."

The court heard that the victim had paid for accommodation and subsequently received inappropriate messages from Ramsay. He felt uncomfortable and requested she remain professional. Despite this, Ramsay continued sending graphic messages, making jokes about his genitalia, and offering to teach him "a thing or two."

The victim demanded his money back, but Ramsay provided excuses for delaying the repayment.

On Christmas Eve, Ramsay was seen shouting and screaming in the street, brandishing a knife. She repeatedly dropped and picked up the weapon while shouting "I've got mental health."

Defense solicitor Alexander Flett argued that Ramsay had been suffering from drug-induced paranoia. "She seems to have got it into her head that she was being followed," Flett stated. "She had taken cocaine to excess. It's a fairly sad tale."

A social work report recommended that Ramsay be sent to a mental health facility, however, Sheriff Charles Macnair declined this suggestion.

Ramsay was sentenced to an eight-month restriction of liberty order and ordered to pay £900 in compensation to the victims of her fraud. She was also placed on the sex offenders' register.