A POLICEMAN WHO WAGED A "SINISTER" STALKING CAMPAIGN AGAINST EX-GIRLFRIEND HAS BEEN JAILED
During a hearing at St Albans Crown Court, it was revealed that Steven Campbell, aged 28, had fabricated a fictitious ex-girlfriend to torment his actual partner through social media and email communications.A member of the British Transport Police, reporting from Harpenden, Campbell pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated stalking and was subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Judge Jonathan Carroll described the psychological abuse inflicted by Campbell as the most severe he had encountered.
In 2014, Campbell created a fake persona named "Nicola Cole" and impersonated her online.
He sent messages to himself, ranging from praise about himself to disturbing images, including pictures of the victim’s home interior and explicit photographs.
Campbell then showed these messages to the victim, who later contacted "Nicola," demanding she cease her harassment.
Prior to Christmas 2014, the false "Nicola" sent a message claiming she had sex with Campbell at their shared residence, even when his girlfriend was away.
She also commented on the Christmas wreath on the front door but said she disliked the Christmas tree.
Prosecutor Andrew Howarth explained: "The woman was petrified and felt physically sick when she was sent a photograph of the wreath on the front door from Nicola Cole." Judge Carroll condemned Campbell’s actions, stating: "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 remarked: "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"
