STALKER JAILED AFTER FACEBOOK ARGUMENT SPARKS MONTHS OF HARASSMENT
A stalker has been jailed after his argument with a Southport pizzeria owner on Facebook resulted in a furious grudge and months of harassment.Colin Cooper, of Waterside Gardens in Bolton, unleashed his threatening campaign against Daniel Johnstone's pizza shop, 600 Degrees, on Sandon Road, between March and December 2024.
This included smashing the window of the premises with a brick, repeatedly spray paint graffiti over the frontage and attacking the store with a hammer.
Cooper, 35, then proceeded to accuse his victim of being a sex offender, The ECHO reports.
He had previously carried out a similar revenge against former landlords whom he felt had wronged him.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday that Cooper had left a string of unwanted phone calls to his victim, damaged his business premises, and even turned up at his home address.
Prosecutor Stella Hayden stated: "Mr Johnstone does not know the defendant personally, but had an exchange with him on Facebook regarding comments that the defendant had made about Mr Johnstone's business on the Southport Food Forum.
That grievance appears to have prompted the defendant to launch a campaign against Mr Johnstone." CCTV captured Cooper on several occasions attending the shop and causing damage.
On August 12, 2024, he was seen repeatedly striking the front of the premises with a tool, leading to £600 in damages, and returning on September 4 to attack the shopfront with a hammer.
On September 29, he slashed the tyres of Mr Johnstone's car, and on November 11, he threw a brick through the window.
He also spray painted over the frontage three times and posted negative reviews under a fake profile falsely claiming Mr Johnstone had a sexual interest in children.
In September 2024, Cooper ordered eight pizzas which he never collected or paid for.
His phone investigation revealed an image of the victim’s van being followed.
Ms Hayden added: "Mr Johnstone described the significant impact the defendant's conduct has had on his business, his mental health, and his family.
He describes himself as living in fear." Cooper has a criminal record with six previous convictions for nine offences, including arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and blackmail in 2021 after setting fire to a vehicle believed to owe him money.
He admitted to stalking, witness intimidation, and nine counts of criminal damage.
He appeared in court via video from prison and was sentenced to 26 months' imprisonment.
The judge also handed him a restraining order and ordered him to pay compensation, stating his behavior was intended to intimidate.
