BY ERIC KING
A detective sergeant who harassed his ex- girlfriend has been jailed under the Harassment Act (section 2)1997.
Ian Mangham of Baldwins Hill, Loughton, has been jailed for 16 weeks for distributing leaflets advertising his ex girlfriend as prostitute. Mangham began an “on–off” relationship with the mother-of-two after she reported her ex-husband to police. The 38-year-old business development manager dumped him, prompting the bitter revenge of the 50 year old, who responded by placing the ads in pub toilets and phone boxes..
Hammersmith Magistrates court heard that the victim received phone calls and knocks on her door at all hours of the night, Jurors at Hammersmith Magistrates Court were told that the victim received knocks on her door at all hours of the night, causing her alarm and distress. The shameful and spiteful act is a further reminder of the extent to which certain officers in the police force can be even more lawless than many ordinary members of the public, bringing shame and disrepute to the force in the process. Hardworking and honest officers exist in the force, but are recklessly betrayed by the string of dishonorable and deplorable offenses of police officers of late. These have done a great disservice to the interest of the force.
HILLSBOROUGH
In the wake of the police liabilities, dishonesty, and failings of the Hillsborough disaster that were exposed during the latest investigations, a thorough overhauling of the force now looks necessary. It may have to be done in phases, with strong regulations put in place to weed out the bad apples amongst them, though it takes a major misdemeanor for any of such to become known. Even then, police officers are likely to be given the weaker sentence on the spectrum of available punishment, usually because of other positive character references presented to the court, or previous good character.
BADGE
Officers and ordinary citizens without a conviction, may wear the good character badge until it becomes exposed because of an offense committed. If a police officer can spitefully bring the name of their former partner to disrepute through callous lies, it makes one wonder what they can they do to a stranger? Evil acts like these should never been found in an officer- all officers should be above board in and out of duty. Officers who think they can harass their spouses , former spouses, or any female colleagues, are in the wrong job. They pull a wool over our faces by failing to reflect the values of law and order entrusted in them. Police officers are expected to realize they carry the banner of their force and can build or break the image of other police officers who may be working hard and honestly in executing the law.
Mangham will never be able to work for the police force again, and in fact will struggle to get any respectable job when he gets out. Exactly how he copes with life post jail in terms of earning a living, is probably something that may need to be overseen to ensure he doesn’t feel driven to criminal acts to survive. He may always be able to get security jobs with the sort of contacts he will have, and his defense to employers will have to be that he believes his ex girlfriend was actually a prostitute, but he just couldn’t prove it in a court. If he is believed, he may get in through the back door.. Mangham will actually spend half of the sentenced 16 months, and will be out after 2 months.
