ASHFORD STALKER JAILED FOR SENDING VICTIM FACEBOOK EMOJIS
A stalker who sent Facebook emojis to his victim weeks after release from prison following a terrifying four-month vendetta is back behind bars.Peter Orsman, of Ashford, used the social media site to post thumbs-up symbols, a blue heart and a friend request, in breach of a restraining order.
The 54-year-old was locked up for a year at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday, where it emerged he also pinned the location of his victim’s home onto an online map.
In January, the former nurse was jailed for ten months at the same court after the prosecution outlined his terrifying four-month vendetta against a man, which included a "malicious" outing of his sexuality on social media.
Having pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress, Orsman was released immediately due to time already served on remand.
A five-year restraining order was handed down, banning him from contacting his victim, attending his home or workplace, and posting about him on social media.
But about a month after release, Orsman sent the victim a Facebook thumbs-up symbol, followed by another in March, a blue heart in May, and a friend request.
Police found he had also been Googling his victim’s name and pinning his address location onto an online map.
He pleaded guilty to violations of the restraining order and online surveillance, with a judge describing his breaches as "flagrant".
He received a 12-month custodial sentence for these offences, which will be served concurrently with other sentences, combined with a further 18 weeks for additional charges.
He will also remain under a restraining order until 2029, with breach punishable by up to five years in jail.
Orsman, a former senior nurse of no fixed abode, waged a four-month vendetta against the man, including posting a collage branding him a liar on Instagram, setting up a fake Grindr profile, placing a tracking device on his car, forging hospital appointment letters, and destroying his lawn with vinegar.
The victim, who must remain anonymous for legal reasons, described his torment in court, expressing fear that Orsman would never leave him alone and anxiety over receiving calls from unknown numbers.
The judge highlighted the serious nature of the breaches and the harm caused.
