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Judge bans 'evil' letter writer Judge bans 'evil' letter writer
(19 minutes later)
A 52-year-old man who sent poison pen letters to 17 villagers has been given an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo).A 52-year-old man who sent poison pen letters to 17 villagers has been given an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo).
Graham Speed of Harmston, Lincolnshire, accused a doctor of having an illegitimate child and claimed an RAF serviceman was a sex pest.Graham Speed of Harmston, Lincolnshire, accused a doctor of having an illegitimate child and claimed an RAF serviceman was a sex pest.
Speed humiliated his victims on websites and sent hundreds of emails.Speed humiliated his victims on websites and sent hundreds of emails.
A judge at Lincoln Magistrates' Court used an Asbo to ban Speed from Harmston, saying his "evil complaints" had upset innocent people.A judge at Lincoln Magistrates' Court used an Asbo to ban Speed from Harmston, saying his "evil complaints" had upset innocent people.
The Asbo also bans him contacting his victims.The Asbo also bans him contacting his victims.
Fairytale Cottage
Lincolnshire Police said the case required its own dedicated officer for two years, cost about £200,000 and involved the taking of 77 witness statements.Lincolnshire Police said the case required its own dedicated officer for two years, cost about £200,000 and involved the taking of 77 witness statements.
Fairytale Cottage
Speed, formerly of Fairytale Cottage, Harmston, was not in court throughout the three-day hearing.Speed, formerly of Fairytale Cottage, Harmston, was not in court throughout the three-day hearing.
District Judge Richard Blake said: "I will be frank, this is quite an extraordinary case and with nearly 20 years at the bar and nine at the bench, I have seldom come across a case where I have seen so many genuine victims come before a court and express the distress that they have suffered.District Judge Richard Blake said: "I will be frank, this is quite an extraordinary case and with nearly 20 years at the bar and nine at the bench, I have seldom come across a case where I have seen so many genuine victims come before a court and express the distress that they have suffered.
"I have seen a number of innocent and decent people in the last few days who have suffered restrictions on their work and mistrust and fear in their relationships for no other reason than an evil complaint by somebody.""I have seen a number of innocent and decent people in the last few days who have suffered restrictions on their work and mistrust and fear in their relationships for no other reason than an evil complaint by somebody."
Acid attack I said what I said because I genuinely believed I was acting in the public interest by bringing injustice and corruption to a wider audience Graham Speed, in a statement
The court heard unemployed Speed wrote to the wife of Dr Odiri Oteri, a gynaecologist at Lincoln County Hospital, claiming her husband had fathered a love child. The court heard how unemployed Speed wrote to the wife of Dr Odiri Oteri, a gynaecologist at Lincoln County Hospital, claiming her husband had fathered a love child.
The General Medical Council investigated the false claims before Dr Oteri was cleared of any wrongdoing.The General Medical Council investigated the false claims before Dr Oteri was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The court heard there were revenge attacks against Speed, including an incident when acid was poured on his car bonnet.The court heard there were revenge attacks against Speed, including an incident when acid was poured on his car bonnet.
Richard Marshall, representing Speed, read a statement from him that said: "When I have had disputes with my neighbours, I don't think the police have dealt with them fairly." Richard Marshall, representing Speed, read a statement from him that said: "When I have had disputes with my neighbours, I don't think the police have dealt with them fairly.
"I said what I said because I genuinely believed I was acting in the public interest by bringing injustice and corruption to a wider audience."
Mr Marshall said the case against his client was not just a "one-way street" and Speed was, to a "significant extent", a victim.Mr Marshall said the case against his client was not just a "one-way street" and Speed was, to a "significant extent", a victim.
The Asbo also banned him from contacting his local newspaper with malicious stories and posting slanderous comments on the internet.The Asbo also banned him from contacting his local newspaper with malicious stories and posting slanderous comments on the internet.