Anger treatment for stalking cop

Aug 16 2007 By Paul Bradley, Birmingham Mail

A BIRMINGHAM cop who persistently stalked his former girlfriend has been sent for anger management classes after being convicted of harassment.

West Midlands policeman Ian Harris, 28, based at Belgrave Road police station, Birmingham, was arrested when he repeatedly followed his former girlfriend and mother of his son, Jacob, in August 2006.

After a two day trial, magistrates at Redditch ordered PC Harris, to take the integrated domestic abuse programme to help with his anger and alcohol problems. He now faces a formal disciplinary hearing before senior police officers and could lose his job.

Defending PC Harris, Mike Sherwood Smith said: "There will be a certain amount of stigma involved with the conviction of Mr Harris that will go a long way as a form of punishment.

"The sentence proposed will take a lot of hard work and cooperation on his part and this is something he is prepared to comply with fully.

"Mr Harris has now come to terms with the alcohol issue and the last time it was a problem was in August 2006."

Harris, who lives with his parents and younger sister in Ditchford Close, Redditch, was confined to desk duties during the investigation but was not suspended.

A restraining order to protect his ex-girlfriend, Laura Mullin, was considered by magistrates but not put in place.

Chairman of the Bench, Gordon Reddish, said: "You have been found guilty of one offence where you harassed Laura Mullins on three occasions.

"I impose a supervision order for 18 months, order you to go on the integrated domestic abuse programme and do 150 hours of unpaid work."

Harris was ordered to pay costs of £790 but is now appealing against his conviction.