A police sergeant who used police computer systems to stalk a junior colleague has been jailed for 21 months at Preston Crown Court.
Justin Fraser, 51, a former response officer who served with Lancashire Constabulary was said to be highly regarded within the force and received two commendations for bravery during his service.
When a junior colleague ended an affair with the married sergeant, he launched a campaign of harassment which left her feeling ‘anxious and upset’.
Fraser used confidential police systems to check on the his colleague’s whereabouts and gather ‘evidence’ she was having an affair with another police officer – an allegation which was without foundation.
He also looked up what the officer was investigating, the police say, and made an adverse report to his former lover’s supervisor in an attempt to make life difficult for her.
Sentencing Fraser, who lives at an address in Liverpool, The Honorary Recorder of Preston, His Honour Judge Robert Altham, told the court that the ex-sergeant’s actions were ‘malicious and so serious’ only an immediate prison sentence was appropriate.
Fraser had pleaded guilty to stalking and securing unauthorised access to computer materials with intent. He was jailed for 21 months over the stalking offence and one month, to run concurrently, over the computer misuse.
His conduct came to light when the force’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) was investigating a complaint into the behaviour of two officers.
The ACU had arrested Fraser in September, 2022, and he was suspended from police duties thereafter. He retired while still under investigation.
A misconduct hearing held on 17th August, 2023 found that Fraser would have been guilty of gross misconduct, dismissed and permanently barred from policing.
Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Eugene Swift said after the sentencing hearing on 29th August, 2023:
“We expect the highest standard of behaviour from all our officers and staff, and Fraser’s conduct fell well short of what the public would expect from a serving police officer.
“The fact he is now a convicted criminal reflects the seriousness of what he did.”
“We are committed to protecting women from all forms of violence, harassment and intimidation and where wrongdoing is identified we will do everything in our power to bring the perpetrator to justice as we have done in this case.”
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Page last updated: Wednesday 6th September, 2023 at 08h45
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