A graphic designer created fake prostitute calling cards in the name of his ex-girlfriend as part of a “campaign of harassment” after she ditched him.
Lee Childs created professional-looking cards with his former girlfriend’s name, telephone number and address with a photo and distributed them near her home.
Childs, 45, put the cards, purporting to advertise her services as a late-night masseuse and sex worker, through letterboxes of her neighbours, in phoneboxes and even sent them to the headteacher of her children’s school.
The victim received explicit phone calls and was plagued by men arriving at her home.
Harrow Crown Court heard Childs was dating the victim while seeing a second woman and subjected the former to sustained harassment for six months after they split.
Prosecutor Grace Ong told Childs at Harrow Crown Court: “What you did with the business cards was extremely offensive and led to disruption to the victim’s personal and business life.” Ms Ong said Childs maliciously lodged a complaint with the NSPCC alleging the victim was a drug user, drank heavily and was unfit to be a mother.
Childs, of Northampton, earlier admitted harassment and possession of a machete found hidden in his car.
He was jailed for five months last week by Judge Graham Arran, who called the criminal acts “incredibly distressing” and imposed a five-year restraining order.
Detective Constable Janine Stevenson, of Harrow Police Community Safety Unit, said after sentencing: “This calculated and extremely vindictive campaign of harassment invented by Childs was relentless.”
