A former detective who used her police credentials to stalk and harass her ex-boyfriend with hundreds of abusive messages and false accusations has been spared prison time due to mental health concerns.
Sue Thorpe, 46, served with Northumbria Police for nearly two decades and had been in a long-term relationship with the victim, during which they lived together and pursued IVF treatment, according to the BBC. The relationship deteriorated after Thorpe suffered a miscarriage in 2020, an event the court later identified as the emotional trigger for her conduct.
Between June 2020 and September 2021, Thorpe unleashed a relentless campaign against her former partner, sending him hundreds of texts, emails and voicemails—many laced with verbal abuse. Prosecutors said she also created fake email accounts to spread damaging lies to his colleagues, family, and social circles, including false claims of child abuse and domestic violence.
In addition, she illegally accessed the national police database to obtain information about him, heightening his fear that her falsehoods would carry extra weight due to her position in law enforcement.
Thorpe, who resigned from her role in light of the investigation, was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended, and must complete 120 hours of unpaid community service. A 10-year restraining order prohibits her from contacting her ex, approaching his home, or mentioning him on social media, according to a ruling by Newcastle Crown Court.
While Judge Amanda Rippon acknowledged the seriousness of Thorpe's actions—calling them a targeted effort to "destroy" her ex's personal and professional life—she accepted medical evidence that Thorpe had been suffering from depression and PTSD at the time. Still, the court emphasized the lasting trauma inflicted on the victim, who described the ordeal as a "living nightmare."
