A BEGGARWOOD man has been handed a suspended sentence for the three month harassment of a 14-year-old girl from Reading via social media and communication through his mobile phone.

50-year-old Dennis Patton, of Wentworth Crescent, was sentenced to 22 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for two years at Reading Magistrates Court. 

Patton had been found guilty by magistrates of two counts of harassment at an earlier hearing at the same court on May 20 following a trial.

The court heard today that between September 2015 and December 2015 Patton contacting the victim, who was aged 14, and her family.

Patton began contacting the victim via Facebook and also threatened to "come to the victim's house, speak to her family and discuss matters of a sexual nature", police said.

There is no suggestion of any physical or sexual abuse between Patton and his victim.

When the victim, from Reading, blocked him on Facebook he sent anonymous abusive messages via text message.
Patton also sent abusive messages to the victim's mother, who forwarded them to the police.
Patton went on to send dozens of messages and communications to the 14-year-old and her mother via a combination of WhatsApp, Snapchat and text.

Investigating officer, PC Kris Couzens, from Reading CID, said: “This was a consistent and sustained harassment of a young victim and her family via social media and mobile phone communication, which has obviously left the victim feeling very vulnerable and distressed.

“The irony of this is that Patton knew exactly the feelings he would engender in the victim as three years ago he wrote and produced a short film about the impact of bullying on young teenagers which was called Teenage Kicks and was featured in the local media.

“I would like to praise the bravery of the victim and her family throughout the justice process and for them I am glad that justice has been served.”