Met Police Officer Sentenced for Stalking Ex-Girlfriend

A Metropolitan Police officer has been sentenced for stalking his ex-girlfriend after their relationship ended. PC Ben Bunsell, who is from Greenwich, south-east London, was found guilty in December of one count of stalking without fear, alarm, or distress in June of the previous year while off duty. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order by Westminster magistrates and also received a restraining order, with an additional requirement to wear an electronic tag for three months. During a one-day trial at City of London Magistrates' Court last month, it was alleged that Bunsell harassed his ex-girlfriend, Natalie Jundo, by persistently messaging, emailing, and calling her after their breakup. The court heard that Bunsell sent over 770 messages, some described as 'very unpleasant' by the judge, made calls using a withheld number, and sent emails from an unknown address. District Judge Briony Clarke noted that Bunsell's conduct amounted to harassment and was associated with stalking. A Met spokesperson commented that police officers are not above the law and that Bunsell has been held to account, with a misconduct process set to follow.