An "obsessed" offender posted a fake article on social media that accused a serving police officer of being a paedophile.
David Morton posted the fake article on Facebook, falsely accusing the serving Durham Constabulary officer of being a pervert who had preyed upon vulnerable young boys. The post was shared in various local Facebook groups and made the officer's life a "living hell".
Morton, of Derwentwater Road, Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday via link from HMP Hull to be sentenced for malicious communications and criminal damage. He had been found guilty following a trial in his absence.
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The court heard that on January 3 this year, the officer's wife contacted him notifying him about a distressing post on social media. Katie Spence, prosecuting, said: "He was contacted by his wife about a post on Facebook implying he was a paedophile and was preying on vulnerable boys." Ms Spence said the post included the officer's picture, making it appear as if he was the one responsible when he wasn't.
Morton, 31, who is a father-of-one, was soon arrested and denied involvement and instead made "counter allegations of harassment". Ms Spence said it was not the first time the officer had been subjected to harassment from Morton - who had a previous conviction for stalking him. He also had previous convictions for malicious communications, harassment, and jury intimidation.
In a victim statement, the officer said the post was "abhorrent" and caused him significant alarm and distress. He said the offence made his life a "living hell" and left him in a constant state of fear and worry.
Joe Hedworth, defending, said Morton "fully accepts responsibility for making the post on Facebook" and wanted to make a "profound apology" to the officer and his wife. He said: "When he made the post he was upset and knows he should never have made that. He wants to put this behind him." He added Morton had previously worked as a construction site manager and a delivery driver and was keen to get back into employment.
Sentencing Morton, Recorder Sellars told the court he deliberately targeted the officer, saying: "Your obsession with him as an officer seems to derive simply from being dealt with by him for a motoring matter." Morton was jailed for 16 months and a five year restraining order was imposed.
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