Police officer avoids jail for stalking conviction

A former police officer has been given a suspended sentence for harassment after admitting bombarding a woman with letters and phone calls.

Philip Nicholls, 52, who was a PC with Avon and Somerset Police, also attempted to contact the woman, who lived in Gwent, Wales, through people she knew.

He was given an 18-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months at Newport Magistrates' Court earlier after admitting a charge of stalking without fear of violence.

Avon and Somerset Police said Nicholls and the victim were known to one another and he had made repeated attempts to contact her between January and March 2025.

He was arrested by Gwent Police on 3 March and he pleaded guilty to harassment two days later.

An accelerated police misconduct hearing was held in the wake of his conviction, and he would have been dismissed if he had not already resigned from the force, a spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said.

Nicholls, who was based in South Gloucestershire, has now been added to a national barred list to prevent him working in policing or other law enforcement agencies again.

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: "This former officer has pleaded guilty to a very serious offence. His behaviour was wholly unwanted, manipulative and abusive."

She added: "We've worked swiftly to expedite the misconduct process, holding an accelerated hearing prior to his sentencing hearing.

"I hope the public will be reassured by the robust action taken, which shows how seriously we treat crimes like this, no matter who the offender is."