A police officer has been sentenced to a curfew and restraining order after encouraging hate comments and harassing his boss online.

Former police constable Ashley Weller, 43, of Stonecote Ridge in Stroud, has lost his job after pleading guilty to harassing his police sergeant Samantha Swinford and her sister on X (formerly Twitter).

Weller had been working in Gloucestershire Constabulary’s rural crime team when he used a picture of his boss and her sister at a cross-country pony club event and framed it as their participation in fox hunting, which is illegal.

He tagged national news outlets in the posts and told the public "let's get some traction."

In a hearing at Swindon Magistrate’s Court on September 18, prosecutor Mr Burnham said the online harassment took place between Christmas Day 2023 and December 27 and resulted in comments such as “nazi scum” and “fire the b***h”.

“There’s a breach of trust committed by a serving police officer and he was trying to cause distress to the sergeant,” he added.

Ashley Weller had been working for the rural crime team which investigates illegal fox hunting.Ashley Weller had been working for the rural crime team which investigates illegal fox hunting. (Image: Social Media)The sergeant has been open about her childhood growing up around country traditions and has been clear that these traditions no longer align with her values.

“I do have insight from my childhood into the hunting world I’m investigating and trying to stop, which I was open about in an interview and contributed to me getting the job," she said.

“Seeing the disgusting posts made about me and my sister made me feel sick. I considered having to take some time away from work with stress due to his actions.

“My history was dishonestly represented to hurt my career and the posts were relentless and increasing.”

The former officer was sentenced at Swindon Magistrate's CourtThe former officer was sentenced at Swindon Magistrate's Court (Newsquest)

Her sister wrote in a statement that she fears the impact on her career.

“The most grotesque thing is as a police officer you’re one of the people the public turns to,” she wrote.

According to his defence lawyer, Weller is no longer a police officer as a result of the two harassment charges, which he pleaded guilty to.

The former officer has now been sentenced by District Judge Apted to a 12-month community order, 12-month restraining order, eight weeks of curfew, and £500 in compensation to the sisters.

He must also pay an additional £114 surcharge and £85 in court costs, bringing his total to £699.

UPDATE: While it was said in court that Mr Weller would no longer be a serving officer with the Gloucestershire Constabulary after the hearing, this has since been disputed.

A spokesperson for the police force has told the Swindon Advertiser: "We are unable to comment at this time due to ongoing misconduct proceedings relating to a serving officer within the Constabulary.”