A Carlisle man has been sentenced for sending Cumbria police an online complaint form which included the comment: “Every time I see an officer injured or dead, I will be smiling.”
The city’s magistrates’ court heard how a detective sergeant in the county force’s professional standards department received the criminal correspondence from 33-year-old Stephen Harding while opening emails on April 5 last year.
This was an Independent Office for Police Conduct complaint form submitted online by Harding.
The detective who received the form had no knowledge of Harding, and was carrying out the task on behalf of a civilian colleague who was off work that day.
“I hope you and your family suffer,” Harding had written on the complaint form, adding other anti-police sentiments. Harding concluded by saying: “Kill yourself.”
The experienced officer spoke of being aghast and grossly offended by Harding’s comments. The detective also described being glad that the civilian colleague who was due to have been monitoring the inbox did not see the content.
Harding was prosecuted and at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court in November he admitted a charge brought under the Malicious Communications Act.
A solicitor representing Harding at that court hearing told how police had previously been called to the defendant’s address.
He had been repeatedly subjected to an incapacitant spray during the course of arrest, said the lawyer, which had caused damage to his eye.
Harding’s message to police on April 5 was the 10th complaint he had made over concerns he was not getting a result.
Adele Graham gave mitigation as Harding, of Broadoaks Grange, Carlisle, was sentenced at the magistrates’ court today.
Harding had no previous convictions and had expressed genuine remorse for the offence, said Miss Graham.
There was no evidence to suggest Harding’s behaviour was indicative of an offending pattern. And Miss Graham said his conduct should be viewed in the context of mental health difficulties, rather than a desire to hurt or harm anyone.
Magistrates who also read a probation service pre-sentence report fined Harding £40. He must also pay a £16 mandatory surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.
