SUE THORPE OF WHITLEY BAY CONVICTED FOR STALKING AND COMPUTER MISUSE IN NORTHUMBRIA

A woman with a background in law enforcement, Sue Thorpe, aged 44, has been found guilty of engaging in a prolonged campaign of harassment and illegal data access against her former partner, Barry Henderson. The incident unfolded over the course of a year, during which Thorpe relentlessly targeted Mr. Henderson with a barrage of abusive voicemails, text messages, and emails, aiming to intimidate and destabilize him following the end of their relationship.

Her actions extended beyond mere digital harassment; she also made false public accusations against Mr. Henderson, attempting to tarnish his reputation and undermine his surfing business. In a disturbing breach of privacy, Thorpe illegally accessed police national computer records to gather sensitive information about her ex-partner, an act that compounded her misconduct and demonstrated a blatant disregard for legal boundaries.

On the day of her sentencing, the court imposed a sentence of two years in prison, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, Thorpe was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work, participate in 20 days of rehabilitation activities, and was issued a 10-year restraining order that prohibits her from making any contact with Mr. Henderson. Her campaign of harassment also involved spreading damaging and false claims about him to his friends, family, and across social media platforms, all with the intent of destroying his personal and professional life.

The court highlighted the severity of her conduct, especially considering her professional background as a former detective. It was noted that her actions were extraordinary and deeply troubling. The judge acknowledged her mental health struggles, which included suffering a miscarriage of twins during IVF treatment, and recognized that these issues played a role in her behavior. Despite this, the judge emphasized that her breach of trust was egregious and unacceptable.

Following her misconduct, Thorpe resigned from the police force. However, it was understood that she would have likely been dismissed had she not chosen to resign voluntarily. Northumbria Police publicly condemned her actions, stating that her behavior was unacceptable and did not reflect the values upheld by the force. The police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining integrity and trust within their ranks, condemning any conduct that undermines public confidence.