A terrified woman posted live Facebook updates after realising a man was following her as she walked home at night.
Fiona Walker spotted the man when she was forced to walk after she failed to get a taxi following a Christmas party on Saturday night.
Too scared to stop and search for a taxi number to call, she posted a message on Facebook.
Alarmed, friends started responding, urging her to call for help, including one friend in California who pleaded with her to call the police.
Fiona was walking from Kilmarnock’s town centre to Stewarton, East Ayrshire, when she became aware a man seemed to be following close behind, stopping when she stopped.
As her terror increased, Fiona’s posts on Facebook became more garbled.
Tipsy, confused and terrified, Fiona walked for almost two miles and was almost out of Kilmarnock, heading towards an unlit country road towards Stewarton, when a friend who'd seen her messages jumped in his car and raced to find her.
As her friend stopped to get Fiona, the man who'd been following her and was now very close behind her, shielded his face and ran off.
Fiona, 41, who works for Scottish Cycling and also runs a cycle spin class in her local sports centre, had been on a Christmas night out with colleagues.
After the night ended, at 1.30am, Fiona couldn't find a taxi but reasoned she’d find one if she started walking the five mile journey home.
Most Read
"I’m not stupid enough to walk all the way to Stewarton but because I didn’t know what time I’d be heading home I didn’t book a taxi," she told the Daily Record .
"When there were none in town I just assumed I’d be able to flag one down if I started walking.
Today, still shaken after her ordeal Fiona explained why she posted on Facebook rather than call the police.
"I was too frightened to make a phone call, as he was so close that he would have heard what I said."
Fiona's Facebook friends were understandably relieved to hear she was safe and she has now reported the incident to police.
A police spokesperson said: "When planning a night out, stick with friends, charge your mobile and think about how you will get home safely. If using a private hire, book it in advance and use a licensed taxi if you are unable to arrange for family or a friend to pick you up. On no account leave with a stranger."
They also urged anyone with concerns about their safety,to contact Police Scotland on 101, or in an emergency always contact 999.
Related Video: