Man tasked with tackling anti-social behaviour fined for anti-social behaviour

A member of a joint police-council task force aiming to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Rushmoor and Hart in Hampshire has resigned after being fined more than £600 for sending a series of threatening messages on Facebook. Richard Denham, of Farnborough, who worked for Safer North Hampshire, pleaded guilty to sending communications conveying indecent or offensive messages at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court on March 5. Denham, 30, sent the series of Facebook messages to David Frood, an acquaintance of more than 15 years, between September and November last year.

The court heard Denham’s former partner, also a friend of Mr Frood, was at the centre of the case, while the fact the defendant had been in a relationship with a second woman who was looking after Mr Frood’s elderly mother was also a significant detail. Prosecutor Serena Edwards said: “It seems there had been some misunderstanding between the parties. As a result, the defendant believed Mr Frood had bad-mouthed his attitude towards women. The result was a series of messages to the victim over a number of days.” Ms Edwards read out to the court messages from the defendant to Mr Frood, accusing him of saying he treated women badly and that he was a "nasty piece of work".



After Mr Frood responded denying the allegations, Denham sent a message saying: “Cool, bro. I’m glad your mum has no involvement. May Allah take care of those who do. Just ask your mum for old time’s sake so I can unload my shotgun, ha ha.” Denham admitted sending the messages after being arrested, but said that he did not think they were threatening and had wanted to "mess with him". He later accepted the messages were "not pleasant", adding the shotgun comment was "just banter" and "not intended as a threat". He also told officers he was depressed at the time because he was dealing with a separation and had been on medication.

Chairman of the bench Amelia Ashton fined Denham £665 and ordered he pay both a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £85. He was also given a one-year restraining order, forbidding him from contacting Mr Frood. Safer North Hampshire is a collaboration between the community safety teams from Rushmoor Borough Council, Hart District Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. It aims to raise understanding of community issues, and improve safety and quality of life in the area. There is an anti-social behaviour team that works with partner agencies to reduce offending. A spokesman for Rushmoor Borough Council said Denham was suspended pending the outcome of the court case and had since offered his resignation from the team, which had been accepted.