A serving police officer is to lose his cherished career with the force through his “irrational” behaviour as a seven-month relationship with a long-standing family friend came to an end.

Robert Stringer bombarded the woman with hundreds of unwanted phone calls, text messages and voice mails, and then turned up at her home late at night unannounced, trying to gain access, on September 7.

A district judge sitting at York Magistrates’ Court heard that the Northumbria force officer was unable to gain access as the door was locked, and police were called.

Louise Berry, prosecuting, said the officer was detained and in interview made no comment, before being released on police bail.

But on September 19 he went past her address on a bus, trying to disguise himself, contrary to bail conditions.

(Image: Northumbria Police) The 31-year-old officer, from Gateshead, was charged with stalking, relating to his behaviour in August to mid-September, a charge he admitted at the same court later in September.

His sentencing hearing, today (Wednesday November 13), heard impact statements from the victim, the second read by her at the court.

She said his behaviour led her to be off work with stress for which she had sought medication from her GP, while she has also received counselling.

The court heard she even changed her vehicle as Stringer was familiar with the car she previously drove.

She has also applied to move from her current address.

The victim told the court she has struggled with many unanswered questions over the reasons for his behaviour.

But she said, on reflection, she felt he was going through a mental health crisis, “due to incidents both inside and outside the force”.

She even blamed herself for “shutting him out” when he was struggling.

But she said if he was to receive the correct support, one day she would like to ask him why he behaved as he did.

The court heard both the families of the defendant and the victim have known each other for up to 50 years, a friendship which has now come to an end due to Stringer’s actions.

District Judge Adrian Lower said it is not uncommon for victims to blame themselves for what has happened to them, but he told her she should not feel any responsibility for the defendant’s behaviour.

He said: “It’s never the victim’s fault in any domestic situation.

“It’s the person who behaves the worst who has to take responsibility for what’s been done.”

The judge said he has read a probation background report and several character testimonials presented to the court on the defendant’s behalf, as well as a letter of apology from Stringer.

He was said to have expressed remorse for his actions and the effect it had on his ex-partner.

The defendant, who has been suspended from his job during court proceedings, revealed he had sought therapy sessions himself and wants to commit to building better relationships, but he accepted he would be losing his police career.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Danielle Hewitt, for Stringer, said he is subject to disciplinary proceedings with the force and they would be advanced in such circumstances.

Miss Hewitt said the defendant accepted having drunk more due to the stress of the situation he found himself.

“It seems to have made him behave irrationally.”

The judge said the defendant would not be the first to resort to heavier drinking to cope with a relationship break-up.

Passing sentence, Judge Lower told Stringer : “Your disgrace is complete.

“From what I have heard you and Miss ***** have led a difficult relationship.

“Sometimes it was on, sometimes it was off. That is not uncommon.”

But he said it came to a head between late August and mid-September when the defendant, “began to behave in an irrational way towards her, calling her a lot of times, far beyond what would be expected in a normal relationship.

“There were lots of voice mails and text messages as well and you went to her address as well as going on a bus past her address, trying to conceal your identity.

“There’s probably some truth that your mental health may not have been the best.

“All of this, it’s concerning behaviour.

“By your guilty plea you recognise that or should recognise that.”

But the judge said he acknowledged the sentiments of those who submitted character testimonials, stating that the way behaved in August and September was, “not indicative of the sort of person you are.”

The judge told Stringer: “The great sadness of this is that your only desire was to become a police officer, like your father.

“I’m sure you were very proud when you were sworn in as a constable.

“It makes it worse that one expects a police officer to have a very high degree of appreciation of what is right and what is wrong.

“Despite the way I’m sure you were brought up, it all went horribly wrong for you in August and September time and you know, realistically, you will not be working as a police officer again.

“You clearly have abilities and skills, and one would hope you can put those to good use going forward.”

Judge Lower passed an 18-month community order during which the defendant must carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work and attend up to 25 rehabilitation activity sessions with the Probation Service.

Following the wishes of the defendant's victim, the judge said he would not be putting in place a restraining order.

But he did order him to pay a total of £199 in costs and statutory surcharge in the next four weeks.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Superintendent Donna Rose, Head of Professional Standards for the Northumbria force, said: “When concerns were raised in relation to the officer, they were subsequently suspended from duty and a thorough investigation carried out.

“He was then charged with the offence, for which he has now been sentenced.

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“His actions were completely unacceptable and are in no way representative of the overwhelming majority of officers, staff and volunteers at Northumbria Police who come to work to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

“As a force, we have made it very clear, that when someone falls below the standards expected and which they made a commitment to uphold we will take appropriate action.

“I can confirm misconduct proceedings are also being progressed in relation to the officer who remains suspended from duty.”