Lewes pensioner found guilty of sending 'menacing' email to Sussex Police officials

A pensioner from Lewes has been found guilty of sending a 'menacing' email to a range of legal officials, including the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner. John Hoath, 74, sent a message suggesting police officials were helping people to evade justice, Wimbledon Magistrates' Court heard. He also threatened to carry out a citizen's arrest on those he contacted if they did not surrender to him within seven days. Despite Hoath denying that any malice was intended, he was convicted of sending an electronic message of a menacing character. The judge warned Hoath that he could face jail as he conditionally bailed him to return to the same court for sentencing on February 27. Sky understands that his email was sent on July 9 2019, to two Sussex Police solicitors, the forces' Professional Standards Department and the office of the Sussex PCC. District judge Andrew Sweet said Katy Bourne gave evidence by video link, saying that the email was "entirely alarming", gave her "sleepless nights" and that it is "the kind of allegation that loses you your job". In her victim impact statement, solicitor Gillian Jones said she herself suffers from nose bleeds triggered by anxiety, panic attacks, "terrible" nightmares and her son who has Asperger's syndrome "can not understand why that man is hurting mummy". The judge said he was satisfied the email message "was not a joke" and it was "meant to be taken seriously". Katy Bourne, who's a married mother of two adult sons, was elected as the Sussex PCC in November 2012, with the aim of holding the Chief Constable to account for the performance of the force. Ms Bourne, who is a member of the Government's National Policing Board, was elected as chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners around two weeks after the incident. Ms Jones said Mrs Bourne had endured a long campaign of harassment from Hoath and his associates, which has left her suffering from severe post traumatic stress disorder and damaged her work. Ms Jones said she herself had been "bullied" online, called slurs such as "bitch" and "prostitute", which caused her "a great deal of upset and fear". Ms Jones also included in her statement that she is "scared" of Hoath and his associates who threaten and challenge her professionalism. It has ensured she is not able to do her job "without fear, intimidation or protection." She said her ordeal has lasted for years and that Hoath has shown "a clear disregard for everything" he has done to her.

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