A woman who repeatedly sent abusive messages to a total stranger has been jailed.
Amy Pickard launched a campaign of harassment against the man and created a fabricated sexualised relationship between them in September and October 2024.
The 41-year-old used multiple aliases on social media to frequently send invasive, sexual and threatening messages on Facebook.
At times, hundreds of messages would be sent every five minutes from 6am until the early hours of the following morning.
Pickard photoshopped pictures of herself with the victim and used them as her Facebook profile photo.
She sent messages to the victim referencing new clothes he was wearing, his pets, and when he had switched on his heating – indicating that she was watching his address.
In one instance, Pickard sent messages to the victim about bird watching, referencing a newly installed bird box outside his home.
Pickard’s behaviour escalated when she turned up outside the primary school where the victim was dropping off his children on 15 October 2024. She was then arrested the same day at Giltbrook Shopping Park.
When Pickard was arrested, she was wearing distinct, stripy socks that featured in photos previously sent to the victim.
During the investigation, digital analysis of Pickard’s mobile phone uncovered photographs that matched profile pictures of Facebook accounts used to harass the victim.
In his victim impact statement, the man detailed the profound impact the behaviour had on him and how his mental health had deteriorated.
Pickard, of Woodlands Close, Watnall, pleaded guilty to harassment involving putting people in fear of violence when she appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 4 March.
She was handed an extended six-year jail sentence and an indefinite restraining order never to contact the victim again.
Chief Inspector Arnie Ahmed, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Pickard went to great lengths to subject the victim to a vile campaign of harassment.
“Her fixated and unwanted behaviour had a significant impact on the victim and left him fearing for his safety.
“It goes without saying that this is completely unacceptable, and we will do all in our power to place offenders before the courts.
“Although there are fewer reported cases where men are victims of these offences, our support is universal.
“As Pickard begins a significant prison sentence, I would like to commend the victim for the bravery he has shown during the legal process and for reporting this incident.
“I would urge anyone who is experiencing patterns of behaviour that are fixated, obsessed, unwanted, or repeated, to please come forward and report it to the police as we will do everything we can to support you.”
Support is available
If you believe you are a victim of harassment or stalking, please contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you are in immediate danger, always dial 999 and speak with a call handler.
If you are unable to talk when you need urgent police help, the Silent Solution service is available.
After dialling, listen to the questions from the call handler and respond by coughing or tapping your device, if you can. If prompted, press 55 to inform the call handler that it is a genuine emergency, and you will be connected to the police.
Help and support are available from other agencies, including the National Stalking Helpline, which is run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on 0808 802 0300.
The Stalking Advocacy Service is available to support victims in assessing risk, creating safety plans, and providing civil legal interventions, as well as signposting to counselling and other relevant services.
You can self-refer to the Stalking Advocacy Service for support, advice and safety planning by calling the women’s helpline on 0115 947 6490 or the men’s helpline on 0115 960 5556.
