Officer jailed for maliciously stalking girlfriend
A manipulative police officer who created a fake ex-girlfriend to stalk his new partner on social media has been sent to prison.
A manipulative police officer who created a fake ex-girlfriend to stalk his new partner on social media has been sent to prison.
Police Constable Steven Campbell, 28, from Scotland, destroyed his girlfriends self-confidence, and drove her to seek counselling and use anti-depressants, St Albans Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Andrew Howarth said the stalking began in October 2014 after Nicola asked the British Transport Police officer to go for a coffee with him.
In a message to his girlfriend, the fake ex said she was surprised PC Campbell was not with someone prettier and slimmer, and claimed she was earning £60,000 a year in the financial services industry.
The victim asked Nicola to leave them alone, but the messages continued, continuously sending abuse and pornographic images.
Before Christmas 2014, the victim received a message claiming she had worn out Campbell while having sex at their home, and sent a picture of the wreath at their front door.
The woman was petrified and felt physically sick when she was sent a photograph of the wreath on the front door from Nicola Cole, Mr Howarth told the court on Thursday (March 16).
PC Campbell was arrested on January 15, 2015 and his computer was seized after an officer saw the reflection of a man in a hoodie in the corner of the picture.
After he was bailed, he returned to live with the victim and carried on his stalking campaign.
Subsequently investigators discovered Nicolas accounts on his laptop, as well as the pornographic images he had sent to his girlfriend.
Officers also found two of PC Campbells ex-girlfriends in Scotland who had experienced similar abuse from a woman called Megan.
Judge Jonathan Carroll said: You engaged in the most malicious, nasty, manipulative form of controlling psychological abuse that I have come across.
“Undermining and insulting words were being used about your victim.
“There was also another sinister element. The messages were designed to make the victim believe she was being watched at home and at work by this fictitious character.
“She was driven to utter despair by your behaviour.”
Defence lawyer Nick De Freitas said: It started because he wanted to make his girlfriend jealous. He wanted her to know how good he was. To say it spiralled out of control is an understatement.
PC Campbell admitted aggravated stalking and was jailed for 18 months.