SOUTH TYNESIDE – A former Northumbria Police officer has been sentenced for stalking and misusing computer data after a year-long harassment campaign against her ex-partner, a court has heard.
The Stalking Campaign
Sue Thorpe, 44, who previously served as a police officer, was found guilty of repeatedly sending abusive texts, emails, and voicemails to Barry Henderson, a surfing instructor from Whitley Bay. The harassment began after the couple’s five-year relationship ended, and Thorpe’s actions escalated between June 2020 and September 2021.
Thorpe sent messages accusing Henderson of being violent and even made shocking allegations, including that he was a paedophile and had been viewing indecent images of children. She spread these false accusations to his friends, family, and even his new partner, attempting to destroy his reputation and harm his surfing business.
Abuse of Power and Fake Accounts
In addition to the harassment, Thorpe used her position as a former police officer to illegally access confidential information through the police national computer, further attempting to gather damaging details on Henderson. She also went to extreme lengths by creating fake Tinder accounts to entrap him and setting up a fake email address to falsely contact organizations he worked with, pretending to be a concerned parent.
Thorpe even visited Henderson’s workplace twice in an attempt to intimidate him.
The Victim’s Impact
The court heard Henderson’s victim impact statement, where he described how Thorpe’s false and alarming claims had deeply affected him. He revealed that the accusations made him feel physically ill, and he had to meet with his son’s friends to assure them of the false nature of the claims.
“The way she went after my business was devastating,” Henderson said. “My bookings have dropped massively, and some days I don’t even want to go to work because I’m scared people might believe what she’s saying.”
Sentencing and Consequences
On May 17, Thorpe was sentenced to two years in prison, with the sentence suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days. Furthermore, Thorpe has been handed a 10-year restraining order, prohibiting any contact with Henderson.
Police Response
Thorpe, who had served 19 years as a police officer, resigned from Northumbria Police after her conviction. Misconduct proceedings are also underway, as authorities have expressed outrage at her actions. Detective Superintendent Donna Rose of Northumbria Police emphasized that Thorpe’s behavior was unacceptable and said it did not reflect the values of the majority of officers at the force.
“We made it very clear that when someone falls below the standards expected of them, we will take appropriate action,” Rose said.
The Impact on Thorpe’s Career
Thorpe’s resignation was a result of her conviction, though she would have likely been dismissed after the misconduct proceedings. Her actions have been deemed a serious breach of trust, especially for a law enforcement officer who was once tasked with protecting the public.
Source Attribution
- Northumbria Police
- WLEX News
- Newcastle Crown Court reports