Amy Pickard – Watnall

An obsessed woman who repeatedly sent abusive and sexual messages to a total stranger has been jailed.

Amy Pickard launched a depraved campaign of harassment against the man and created a fabricated sexualised relationship between them in September and October 2024.

The 41-year-old used multiple aliases on social media but mainly Facebook to frequently send invasive, sexual and threatening messages on Facebook.

At times, hundreds of messages would be sent every five minutes from 6am until the early hours of the following morning.

Pickard photoshopped pictures of herself with the victim and used them as her Facebook profile photo.

She sent messages to the victim referencing new clothes he was wearing, his pets, and when he had switched on his heating – indicating that she was watching his address.

In one instance, Pickard sent messages to the victim about bird watching, referencing a newly installed bird box outside his home.

Pickard’s behaviour escalated when she turned up outside the primary school where the victim was dropping off his children on 15 October 2024. She was then arrested the same day at Giltbrook Shopping Park.

When Pickard was arrested, she was wearing distinct, stripy socks that featured in photos previously sent to the victim.

During the investigation, digital analysis of Pickard’s mobile phone uncovered photographs that matched profile pictures of Facebook accounts used to harass the victim.

In his victim impact statement, the man detailed the profound impact the behaviour had on him and how his mental health had deteriorated.

Pickard, of Woodlands Close, Watnall, pleaded guilty to harassment involving putting people in fear of violence when she appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 4 March.

She was handed an extended six-year jail sentence and an indefinite restraining order never to contact the victim again.