A CARLISLE man annoyed with the police’s handling of his complaint sent them an email saying: “Every time I seen an officer injured or killed, I will be smiling.”

Stephen Harding, 33, made the comment in an online complaint form which he filled out and then emailed to Cumbria Constabulary, the city’s Rickergate court heard. He admitted a “malicious communications” offence.

The charge states that his message was "grossly offensive" and intended to cause distress and anxiety. At the city’s Rickergate court, prosecutor Jackie Partington outlined the facts.

She said the defendant, of Broadoaks Grange, Carlisle, filled out the online form on April 5 and sent it to the force’s Professional Standards Department. The officer who later read the email was “affected by it,” she said.

“Essentially, the email was asking for his details to be removed from police system,” said the prosecutor. Harding went on to write: “I hope you and your family suffer… Every time I see an officer injured or killed; I will be smiling.”

The court heard that the defendant was a man of previous good character.

Chris Toms, defending, said there had previously been an incident when the police had called at the defendant’s home address and he was “repeatedly” subjected to a pava spray while he was being arrested.

“It caused damage to his eye,” said Mr Toms.

Harding had formally complained to Cumbria Constabulary and the offending message was the tenth he had sent. “The previous messages were not getting a result,” said Mr Toms, adding that Harding had mental health issues.

He was presently being treated for depression, though a number of possible diagnoses were currently being investigated.

Magistrates adjourned the case until December 20 so that a background report can be prepared. This will assess the possibility of imposing a mental health treatment requirement, the court heard.