A constituent harassed her local MP by sending her abusive and homophobic tweets which branded her "vile" and "filthy".
Susan Dematas harassed Jarrow Labour MP Kate Osborne between August 27 and December, last year, and left her feeling "personally threatened" by messages posted on Twitter. The 53-year-old even continued posting abusive comments online after police spoke to her following complaints made by Ms Osborne.
On Friday, Dematas, of Falmouth Drive, Jarrow, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court to be sentenced for harassment without violence. She had been found guilty of the offence following a trial at the court in August.
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Paul Doney, prosecuting, said Ms Osborne, who is openly gay, became aware of Twitter messages posted to her account on September 8, last year which accused the MP of "disgusting behaviour from a servant of the public". Mr Doney said Ms Osborne felt "personally threatened by the posts", which also made reference to an incident which occurred at the Jarrow Festival where Dematas "confronted" her with a megaphone.
Mr Doney said: "The police were contacted by the complainant as she felt harassed and threatened. Police then went to see the defendant in December." But shortly after the police spoke to Dematas, she once again posted abusive posts on Twitter, saying: "When an MP sends police to your door for harassment, what a vile, disgusting excuse for a public servant harassing dying victims."
The court was told the posts "caused anxiety and concern" for Ms Osborne who had also previously felt "ambushed" at the Jarrow Festival by Dematas, who had attended the event and addressed members of the public with a megaphone. Ms Osborne then blocked the account of Dematas, but she still managed to send more abusive tweets calling her a "disgusting, filthy public servant" that same month. Mr Doney said that Dematas also posted tweets which were a "direct assault on her sexuality" and "used her sexuality to attack her on social media" as well as making a reference to "guns" and "Jimmy Saville".
Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said there was a background to the offences and said for a number of years Dematas has been suffering from a "somatic disorder". He said: "She feels intense pain on a daily basis which wears her down to the point that everything becomes extremely stressful to her." Mr Forrester said Dematas had approached Ms Osborne and her office to ask her to assist in regards to a personal medical query, and a correspondence began.
He added: "She was then sent a letter telling her the NHS didn't accept any responsibility for any condition she may or may not have. Subsequently, eight days later she went to the Jarrow Festival." Mr Forrester said that Dematas went to the festival with a "small megaphone" and "addressed people about her medical condition", which Ms Osborne "deemed not appropriate".
Mr Forrester said that the messages Dematas sent Ms Osborne were "indefensible" and said she "did not intend to offend or be homophobic" in any way. He added: "She suffers from a debilitating and brutal condition which is destroying her life."
Dematas, who had no previous convictions, was sentenced to an 18 month community order and ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation days. She must pay £80 compensation to Ms Osborne and a £95 surcharge. An 18 month restraining order was also imposed.
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