Police worker accused of bombarding woman with Facebook messages claims his ‘thumb slipped’
A police worker accused of harassing a domestic abuse victim claims that his ‘thumb slipped’ when he sent her messages.
Martin James, 45, allegedly sent the woman repeated Facebook friend requests and a ‘waving emoji’ from February 17 to 28.
He started bombarding Mary-Jane Cox with friend requests just a day after she reported a domestic abuse incident to him on February 17 this year.
James had been working as a Met police public access officer at a police station in Croydon.
Samir Pasha, defending, said the officer’s thumb ‘had slipped,’ and that the contact was a ‘mistake’ followed by a ‘subsequent mistake.’
Wearing a black hoodie, the police officer of Wandsworth, south west London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (tues) and spoke only to confirm his personal details.
He is charged with harassment and misconduct in a public office, and Mr Pasha indicated that James will plead not guilty to both charges.
District Judge Briony Clarke told the officer: ‘This is a matter that can only be dealt with at the Crown Court. If you do not turn up, you will be committing a separate offence.’
James will next appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on November 5 for a plea hearing.
