MAN JAILED AFTER STALKING FEMALE POLICE CONSTABLE
A man from Oldham has been handed a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence after he was convicted of stalking a female police constable.John Heywood appeared before Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, on Tuesday (February 24) for sentencing following his conviction at trial.
The trial occurred last month, and Heywood has been in custody since July.
During the court hearing, a victim impact statement from the officer he targeted was read aloud.
In her statement, she described how her everyday life had been severely impacted, expressing her fear of encountering Heywood again.
She also stated that she had to use taxis to avoid him and that her mental health issues had worsened.
The officer shared difficulties with sleep and anxiety related to returning to work, feeling as though Heywood was everywhere and characterising him as unpredictable.
She mentioned that he had photographs of her on his phone and feared he might be using them for personal satisfaction, which she found deeply upsetting.
Her testimony also highlighted how these events affected her personal relationships, noting she had called family and friends multiple times overwhelmed with emotion.
During sentencing, Judge Alan Conrad KC highlighted the victim’s ongoing mental health struggles, including her anxiety and emotional distress.
He criticised Heywood for showing no remorse, noting he was 56 years old and seemingly aware of the impact of his actions.
The court was told that Heywood, of Plumpton Close, Royton, had lost his mother while in custody.
Although there was discussion of delaying the sentence to carry out a mental health assessment, the judge chose to proceed.
Judge Conrad KC underscored the gravity of the psychological harm caused to the victim, describing the case as involving significant emotional suffering.
Heywood was sentenced to 30 months in prison, with the time served since July counting toward this total.
A restraining order was issued against Heywood, along with a deprivation order for his phone, which was confiscated during the investigation.
Additionally, he was ordered to pay a statutory surcharge, and his sentence includes provisions for early release.
