AN ex-policeman has escaped jail after he stalked a 14-year-old schoolgirl for three-and-a-half months.

It was the second time disgraced former PC Keith Miller, 34, had left a teenage girl in terror following a campaign of harassment.

Miller, who had been stationed at Whickham, near Gateshead, horrified his first victim with perverted text messages and left the second teenager afraid to go out at night.

But he was allowed to walk free after probation reports convinced Gateshead magistrates that he posed no threat to the public.

The court was told that Miller was convicted in September last year of sending grossly offensive and indecent text messages to the other 14-year-old in April 2002. He completed a 160-hour community punishement order imposed for that offence and quit the force.

Magistrates were told yesterday how police had secretly tracked Miller in March last year and saw him stalking his latest victim.

He would wait for the youngster at her school bus stop.

Miller, of Greystoke Gardens, Harlow Green, Gateshead, admitted one charge of harassment.

He was handed a 12-month community rehabilitation order and told to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, under the supervison of a probation officer, along with £225 costs.

Gavin Doig, mitigating, said Miller had not intended to frighten the girl and was very sorry for what he had done. He had moved from the area and did not intend to return.