Stalker predicted death for medium

Elizabeth Murray was said to be “fixated” with Bellshill-based Monika Thomson and tried to take her own life when the medium made it clear they could never be more than friends.

Ms Thomson leads services at Bellshill Christian Spiritualist Church and similar churches throughout Scotland. She also helps private clients communicate with “loved ones in the spirit world”.

Murray (45), of Easterhouse, Glasgow, admitted stalking and breach of bail charges at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week.

Laura Knox, prosecuting, said the women had known each other for years and attended the same spiritualist church.

She told the court: “Murray became fixated with Ms Thomson and said she was in love with her, but Ms Thomson informed her the relationship could proceed only on a friendship basis.

“She was then bombarded with calls to her landline and mobile numbers, and couldn’t change these numbers because of her business.”

Ms Knox said there were numerous abusive calls, texts and social media messages between September 1 last year and Christmas Eve. Contact continued even after Murray was bailed on condition that she did not communicate with the healer.

At one point Ms Thomson, of Croftpark Street, Bellshill, told police that Murray had threatened to kill herself. Officers forced entry to her home and she was taken to hospital. She had taken an overdose.

While in hospital and after being discharged, Murray continued to contact Ms Thomson. In one message she said the “spirit guides” had told her Ms Thomson would be “next to die” and would suffer a brain tumour.

Ms Knox said that between October 1 and 2 alone Murray sent the healer 191 voicemail messages.

Defence agent John Coogan said Murray had been diagnosed with “borderline personality disorder”. His client has been in custody for the last month and Mr Coogan asked for bail.

However, Sheriff Vincent Smith deferred sentence for background reports and remanded her in custody until March 3.