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A former police officer who sent homophobic text messages to a female colleague who was also her ex-partner, has been sentenced a community order.

Jess Smith, 33, from Hayle, Cornwall admitted sending malicious communications between May 2021 at May 2022, at a previous Exeter Crown Court hearing.

On Friday she was handed an 18-month community order and a restraining order for five years.

She was also ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation.

Smith resigned from her job as a police constable with Devon and Cornwall Police.

The offence relates to incidents between January 2021 and June 2022 in Cornwall, which took place when she was both on and off duty.

The court heard on Friday Smith worked with the victim for three years and they became friends before in May 2021 they started an intimate domestic relationship.

Prosecutor Victoria Bastock said Smith became jealous of her partner's behaviour towards colleagues and friends.

She said Smith sent her partner messages which "put her down and insulted her".

When interviewed by police, Smith admitted she suffered with jealousy.

Defence barrister Joss Ticehurst said: "She is genuinely sorry that things have come to this position. She feels shame and remorse."

Judge Stephen Climie said the five-year restraining order bans her from contacting her ex-partner and Smith had acted "wholly out of character".

He added: "You have lost your career as a result of this behaviour."

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said the messages were "homophobic in nature, causing distress and anxiety to the victim".

Mr Mayhew added: “The behaviour displayed by Jess Smith was completely inappropriate and not representative of how any police officer, or person, should behave."

He added: "I hope the outcome today brings an element of closure to what must have been a challenging few years for the victim, who we are providing ongoing support to."

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