Man gets life for stalking therapist

ABERDEEN, Scotland, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- An obsessed former patient who wrote a Scottish psychologist love letters in his own blood has been sentenced to life in prison.

Brian Johnstone, 33, apologized Friday for stalking Dawn Relton, The Scotsman reported. He said he had no intention of physically assaulting her, even though investigators found weapons, including a handgun and crossbow in his apartment.

"I have no interest whatsoever in Dr. Relton's life. Now I realise what distress I caused her and I'm sorry for that -- my intention was never to cause fear," he said. "I don't understand why I should get a life sentence when people who rape and hurt people don't get a life sentence. I don't get it -- I'm not a danger at all to society."

Johnstone saw Relton as a patient at the Maryhill Health Center in Glasgow. She dropped him because he had become infatuated and he retaliated by vandalizing her car and sending her letters written in blood.

The investigation began when a mental health nurse noticed a photograph of Relton on his computer.

Johnstone pleaded guilty in Sheriffs Court in Glasgow but the sentencing was transferred to the High Court in Aberdeen because officials said he posed a serious threat to Relton and others.