A police officer who stalked a woman over a six-month-period has been jailed and slapped with a restraining order.

Nathan O’Hara, now an ex-constable based at Northfleet police station, pleaded guilty to the offence at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The former officer stalked a woman who was known to him over a six-month period starting March of this year.

His behaviour was reported to the force on Saturday July 3 and resulted in him being arrested the same day.

Following this he was immediately suspended pending the outcome of a criminal investigation but his stalking of the victim reportedly did not cease until September this year.

O'Hara was later charged on Saturday September 4 and resigned from the force less than three weeks later.

He appeared before Magistrates' in London yesterday where he plead guilty to one count of stalking.

O'Hara was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment, issued with a restraining order and ordered to pay compensation of £500.

Det Chief Supt Jon Armory, head of professional standards at Kent Police, said: "Officers and staff are held to very high standards of professional conduct and we do not hesitate to take action when someone’s behaviour falls short of what is expected of them.

"Allegations of stalking or domestic abuse are among the most serious we deal with, and the most robust and proportionate course of action is always taken against perpetrators of such terrible offences."

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