Man sentenced for attempting to pervert the course of justice
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A Watton man has been sentenced for sending threatening messages to the family of a Crown Court Judge.
Steven Webb, 34, of Charles Avenue, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, today (Friday 22 December 2023). He previously admitting four counts of perverting the course of justice.
The charges related to messages sent following the conviction of Wayne and Riley Peckham at Norwich Crown Court in March 2023 for the murder of Matthew Rodwell.
Family members of the presiding judge received messages and family photos, from a fake social media account under the name ‘Nikita Hussain’, including:
“OVERTURN RILEY AND WAYNE CONVICTION OR ELSE”
“WE GAVE ALL YOUR PICS”
“UR IN BIG TROUBLE”
“SEE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY REALLY REALLY SOON […]”
Investigations identified Webb as a suspect, despite him having no apparent links to the Peckhams.
He was arrested following a warrant at his home in May.
Multiple devices were seized from the property, and were found to contain photo collages that had been sent to the victims, searches for the family names from his personal social media accounts, as well as research into the Peckham’s case.
Webb was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, today at the Old Bailey. He was also given a restraining order, a deprivation order for his computer equipment, and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days.
Detective Constable Adam Ruskin said: “Webb showed a clear disregard and lack of compassion for all parties who were deeply affected by the Peckham’s murder trial.
“He deliberately targeted the family of a prominent member of our legal system with the intention to have a detrimental impact on their wellbeing.
“Furthermore, they were a targeted attempt to pervert and alter the course of justice in what was a harrowing, profound case for all involved.
“I would like to expressly thank my colleagues in Cyber Crime and the Digital Media Investigations unit for their assistance in bringing the defendant to justice.”