Councillor jailed for 'tirade of abuse'

Len Ford, a councillor on Torridge District Council, was jailed for 18 weeks

A councillor from Devon has been jailed for "a tirade of abuse" against a senior council officer.

Len Ford, a member of Torridge District Council, said the head of legal, Staci Dorey, was "corrupt, dishonest, Hitler and a disgrace to the human race".

Ford, 64, of Greysand Crescent, Appledore, was jailed for 18 weeks at Exeter Magistrates on Wednesday after being found guilty in December of persistently making use of a public communication network to cause annoyance, inconvenience and anxiety.

Ford, who will remain in his council position as the member for Appledore, was also found guilty of harassment without violence.

Len Ford was sentenced at Exeter Magistrates Court

Exeter Magistrates heard Ford, who is not aligned to a political party, bullied and harassed Ms Dorey and bombarded her with abusive emails.

She had cameras fitted at her home because of fears over her personal safety from Ford and considered quitting her job.

The court heard she needed escorting to council meetings because of safety fears and had been given a panic alarm.

District Judge Stuart Smith said Ford had let down the community he was elected to serve.

A probation report said the councillor was unrepentant and remained vexatious towards fellow councillors and council officials including chief executive Steve Hearse.

'Sustained campaign'

Stephen Nunn, defending, said of Ford: "Something triggered in him an intolerance."

Judge Smith imposed a four-year restraining order banning Ford from going within 100m (330ft) of the council headquarters in Bideford, from making contact with Ms Dorey, and from using threatening behaviour.

Ford was elected to the council in May 2023 for four years.

After he was found guilty in December, Mr Hearse said there had been "a sustained campaign of intimidating and bullying behaviour".

He said the council had tried to deal with Ford's behaviour internally but this "did nothing to stop or modify" the way he treated staff and "intervention through the court system was the only avenue available".

Following the sentencing a spokesperson for Torridge District Council said: "We are currently reviewing the legislation with regards to Mr Ford's position as a councillor."