Nicola Slack, 46, stalked her neighbor for years via social media and false reports, causing devastating distress.
The stalking spanned from April 2017 to April 2024. Slack employed various methods, including sending mean messages via social media and even a Christmas card. She also made false claims to the victim’s employer and reported them to the DWP.
Prosecutor Mr. Keith Ballinger explained in court that Slack anonymously reported the victim to the DWP, sometimes as often as three times a week. These reports led to DWP visits to the victim’s home.
Although the DWP eventually stopped visiting after realizing the reports were false, the initial false reports had a lasting negative effect. The victim ultimately reported Slack’s actions to the police.
Slack then targeted the victim on Facebook using fake accounts to send harassing messages accusing the victim of harassing people. She also threatened to report them to the police again.
The messages included personal comments about parking, making the victim feel watched. The victim believed Slack was watching from her window, resulting in feelings of unease and fear.
The victim resorted to putting up umbrellas when kids played outside and avoided looking at Slack’s house while walking. A neighbor received similar harassing Facebook messages and identified Slack as the sender.
The anonymous Christmas card sent by Slack contained the message, “Watch your back, karma is coming,” along with other insulting language. Additionally, Slack made false complaints to the victim’s employer.
Following the victim’s police report, Slack was arrested. Initially, she claimed to have only one Facebook account but later admitted to all the charges against her.
The victim’s statement described the “devastation” caused by Slack’s actions, hurting them and their children. They endured years of pain and felt sickened by Slack’s harassment and felt unsafe at home.
The victim also changed how they interacted with others too. Ms. Dunn, defending Slack, described her behavior as “unexplainable”, admitting it went on for a long time. Slack thought the victim ignored or laughed at her.
Slack now admits she never should have acted that way and Ms. Dunn said Slack felt “ashamed” and “embarrassed,” suffering from anxiety before the court appearance. Ms. Dunn asked the court to suspend any jail time, to allow Slack to care for her son and elderly parents.
Mr. Livesey, the chairman of the magistrates, told Slack to sit, indicating the sentence would be harsh. Slack received 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to pay the victim £750.
Slack must also work with the probation service and complete rehabilitation activity days. Mr. Livesey stated that Slack caused the victim “havoc” and called her actions “totally unacceptable”.
He described the crime as “prolonged and sustained”, deserving jail, but offered a chance for improvement, explaining how probation could assist her success. Slack was warned about the consequences of failing to work with probation.
She could face further jail time if she fails to pay the compensation or fails any element of her suspended sentence.