A WOMAN set up a fake profile of her ex-husband on a dating website in a bid to ‘get back at him’ and ‘cause issues with his current partner’, a court has heard.
Marcia Williams, of Chapel Meadow in Alfrick, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence on Christopher Williams, between March 1 and 20, when she appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court last Friday (November 21).
The 33-year-old, who was married to Mr Williams for eight years, sent abusive emails and set up a profile of him on ‘Plenty of Fish’ after their marriage broke down last Christmas, the court heard.
Mr Williams received an e-mail from the site saying the account had been created in his name, although it didn’t officially go ‘live’, the court was also told.
Defending solicitor Barry Newton said: “Mr Williams and his current partner formed a relationship on the back of the marriage breaking down.
“In January he also had a harassment notice served on him but since then no financial assistance has been given to her or attempts made by him to contact the children.
“To say she is struggling would be putting it lightly.
“Clearly this doesn’t take into account that he had employment, but she has sorted herself out as best she can for her and her children.”
Williams was handed a 12-month community order, with 40 hours of unpaid work, and given a 12-month restraining order against her ex-partner.
District Judge Nigel Cadbury said: “I accept these things are very upsetting for both parties when they don’t work out, but your deliberate planning of setting up a false account on a dating agency has pushed it past the community threshold.
“At least you didn’t go as far as posting naked photographs of your ex-partner on social media. You are getting quite close to it being as serious as that because of the deliberate planning behind it.
“If it had just been a few unpleasant or angry texts or e-mails I could have accepted that.”
She was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £60.
