PERTH WOMAN AVOIDS JAIL FOR TWO-YEAR STALKING CAMPAIGN
PASSED AWAY A woman named Pamela Wheeler, aged 48, was involved in a stalking campaign against Jennifer Douglas, a former family friend, after Douglas's husband left her for another woman.Wheeler, who was a lawyer, went to great lengths to harass Douglas, including creating fake online identities to post abusive messages and storming into her home to abandon an unwanted cat.
Over nearly two years, Wheeler persistently contacted Douglas at her workplace and posted vile remarks about her on Facebook, reacting to her husband's infidelity.
During the court hearing at Perth Sheriff Court, Wheeler was given a non-harassment order for five years, ordered to perform 250 hours of unpaid work, and banned from approaching or communicating with Douglas or posting about her on social media.
The sheriff remarked that Wheeler's conduct was aimed at upsetting and intimidating Douglas, acknowledging that her emotional reaction to her husband's deceit was understandable but had gone overboard.
The court detailed that Wheeler's harassment began in April 2013 when she discovered her husband was seeing Ms Gordon.
She started posting abusive messages, including from a fake persona called Rita Doig, after her initial Facebook account was blocked.
The harassment escalated when Wheeler entered Douglas's home uninvited and dumped her pet in protest.
Wheeler admitted to a course of conduct that caused Douglas fear, alarm, and distress, including contacting her office and entering her home uninvited.
Her solicitor explained that Wheeler was under the influence of alcohol during some incidents and had difficulty coping with her marital breakdown.
The judge warned Wheeler that failing to comply with the court’s order could result in jail time, as the order was imposed as a direct alternative to custody.
