A councillor subjected a former MP candidate to a bizarre online campaign of harassment which she termed "Operation Motherf***ers".
Marta Paszkowska began abusing her fellow Tory Cllr Wendy Maisey after their friendship soured. She went on to subject her to a sustained barrage of hate - threatening her on social media, accusing her of anti-semitism and even posting a picture of a woman with a gun.
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Thursday, that the 45-year-old became involved in the Warrington Conservative Party and befriended Cllr Maisey - a borough councillor who stood for Parliament for the party in the Warrington North seat during the 2019 general election. Paszkoswka then gained her seat on Burtonwood with Westbrook Parish Council during an uncontested ballot in May 2021.
READ NEXT: Paedophile bragged on the dark web about grooming boy with gifts
Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, said: "At first the two were friends and shared an interest in local politics, with Ms Maisey assisting Ms Paszkowska in her ambition to run for office in the local community council elections. At some point, Paszkowska became aggrieved with Ms Maisey and started to accuse her of - among other things - anti-semitism and failing to help her with her domestic violence issues, and posted numerous social media posts accusing her of many things, making threats to her and generally besmirching her character."
Over the period of several months, Paszkowska repeatedly called Cllr Maisey a "Culcheth motherf***er" - a reference to the area of the town where she lives and the ward she represents. She made "veiled threats" against her online, including posting the message "I'm not finished with you yet" and making reference to "Operation Motherf***ers" alongside an image of a silhouetted woman holding a gun.
The now former parish councillor was warned about her behaviour by police, but "did not desist". Paszkoswka - of Chicago Place in Chapelford - was subsequently handed a stalking protection order in November last year, banning her from making reference to Cllr Maisey or her children on social media, contacting her or using a pseudonym while posting online.
When the SPO was served on her, she stated that she "didn't believe it was fair and asserted that all she was doing was pointing out Ms Maisey's limitations". And the mum breached the order on the same day with four social media posts.
In one, Paszkowska tagged Cllr Maisey in a post on Instagram saying "don’t p*** me off tonight, I have 12 boxes of your useless replies to my complaints". She then posted a link to a news article about her nemesis alongside the hashtag "#WendyMaisey13".
Another post said "I have never argued with Wendy, that’s true", while a fourth again contained a newspaper article about Cllr Maisey. After her arrest, Paszkowska told officers she was "too stressed".
In a statement read out to the court on her behalf, the complainant said she had been "living through hell" and was signed off work by her GP. Cllr Maisey added: "Never in all my experience have I ever felt fearful in my own home due to the level of abuse and threats aimed at me by Marta Paszkowska.
"The whole campaign against me made me feel isolated and alone. I have had serious thoughts about withdrawing from public life and considered resigning as a councillor."
Paszkowska, who has no previous convictions, represented herself in court. She described herself as being "desperate and frustrated", with the offence having come after she fled an abusive relationship which saw her end up living in a refuge for three months.
The Polish national told the court: "I do apologise and feel sorry for Wendy Maisey. All of this has been caused by the personal trauma I went through for nine years."
Paszkowska admitted breaching a stalking protection order and was handed an 18-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days. She was also subjected to a two-year restraining order and told to pay a victim surcharge.
Sentencing, Judge Brain Cummings KC said: "I am prepared to accept there are some indications of remorse, albeit I am afraid it is perhaps accompanied by a lack of insight into the real impact of this offence on the victim. Please do not come back before a criminal court Ms Paszkowska.
"It is never a happy day when we have to deal with someone of previous good character. Make this your first and last time."
READ MORE: Chippy owner agreed to cannabis farm above shop then led police to it
Mum accused of murder to stand trial next year after man stabbed to death
Kebab shop owner tried to slash wife's face with skewer and locked her in cellar
Crime family boss said 'it's my birthday, this is a joke' when police raided home
Thug attacked couple taking kids to park and left dad fighting for his life
