A Metropolitan Police officer who harassed a colleague with messages and pictures of himself in his underwear after their romantic relationship ended has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
DC Christopher Gibbons, 32, was engaged to another woman when he struck up a relationship with a fellow officer, Rebecca Douch, Westminster magistrates court heard.
Over ten days last September, after Ms Douch stepped back from their relationship, Gibbons sent a string of messages including 13 unanswered texts in one day.
She told him to stop contacting her, but he persistent with the messages, including some featuring half-dressed images of himself.
“I’m struggling with my mental health”, Ms Douch told him. “I just need you to stop messaging and calling me.”
Prosecutor Adrita Ahmed said Gibbons was convicted of harassment without violence against his ex-partner “after the relationship broke down and she told him she never wanted to have a relationship again.
“He contacted her multiple times, on multiple messaging platforms, and sent unwanted images.”
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Douch said the trial had “taken all my strength” and Gibbons’ harassment had impacted on her physical and mental health.
“I believe he has shown no remorse or accepted the gravity of his conduct”, she added.
“I hope he will now.”
District Judge John Zani found Gibbons guilty of harassment without violence between 14 and 24 September 2022, and he echoed the victim’s words when passing sentence on Thursday.
“I’ve read a 13-page pre-sentence report and I don’t see one word of remorse”, he said.
Gibbons, from Tooting, whose career in the Met is now over, was sentenced to a ten-week prison term, suspended for two years.
He must carry out 40 sessions of probation supervision, up to 30 days of rehab, and he was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the victim and £250 in costs.
An indefinite restraining order was also imposed, banning Gibbons from contacting Ms Douch or going within 200m of her home.
“I hope you will now reflect on your actions, get on with your life, and there’s no further impact on this unfortunate victim”, said the judge.
