PC assaulted and death threat sent

A registered sex offender has been sentenced for assaulting a policeman and sending a death threat.

- Mark Payne

Gary Barnstaple, 62, from Hartlepool, was found guilty of an offence under the On-line Safety Act and assaulting an emergency worker following a magistrates' court trial last July.

He disputed the verdicts and launched an appeal which was heard at Teesside Crown Court. But it was unsuccessful with the judge saying his case was “without merit”.

A further sentencing hearing on Tuesday heard the offences arose out of contact between Barnstaple and probation officials after he was given a suspended prison sentence last March.