Oldham man jailed for stalking female police officer

A 56-year-old man from Royton has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after stalking a female police officer who served in Greater Manchester Police. John Heywood, of Plumpton Close, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday after being found guilty at trial last month.

The court heard how the officer had to completely change her daily routine, taking taxis to and from work to avoid Heywood. In a victim impact statement read to the court, she described living in constant fear, struggling to sleep at night, and dreading each day at work.

Judge Alan Conrad KC told Heywood he had caused 'very serious distress' and 'significant psychological harm' to the officer. The judge noted that Heywood remained in denial about his actions, saying 'she didn't deserve what you did to her' and adding 'you're 56 years of age and you should know better.

The court learned that Heywood had lost his mother while in custody, but the judge decided against adjourning the case for a mental health assessment. Along with his prison sentence, Heywood received a restraining order and had his phone seized under a deprivation order.