A former Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer was sentenced after subjecting a serving member of the force to a “toxic campaign of online homophobic hate” and was fined £2,000.

The case came before the Coleraine Magistrates Court, Northern Ireland, on April 29. District Judge Peter King then delivered the sentence on Friday, May 9.

Former Northern Irish police officer Gordon Downey was sentenced to pay a £2,000 fine after he pleaded guilty to homophobic harassment against colleague Paul Bloomer. He was also given a three-year restraining order and ordered to pay £500 compensation to his victim.

For two years, Gordon Downey subjected Bloomer to what was deemed a “toxic campaign of online homophobic hate”, sharing hundreds of homophobic and transphobic posts targeting the officer. Downey also made numerous complaints to PSNI’s Professional Standards Department against Bloomer.

In delivering the sentence, Judge King told Downey that his behaviour had “significantly crossed the line” of what was acceptable. “Your right to free speech does not give you a licence to behave in this manner,” the judge said.

In addition to his role in the police, Paul Bloomer is also a prominent member of the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Ireland, having served as Co-Chair of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) LGBT+ Network. He also sits as trustee of Belfast Pride and set up a UK-wide intersectionality Working Group which aimed to improve representation of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority people in Police LGBTQ+ staff networks.

Speaking after the sentence was delivered, Bloomer said: “I was targeted because I’m a queer person who stood up to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ people to be included and respected by policing institutions.

“Trans and non-binary people are some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society, standing up for them has been the honour of my life, despite what I’ve been through I’ll never change my stance on defending marginalised and vulnerable people.

“Hate must always be opposed. In Northern Ireland we have had enough of hate, it has no place here anymore.”

Bloomer added, “This case wasn’t just about criminal harassment; it was about fighting to be yourself in public life. Every LGBTQ person in Northern Ireland has the right to live and love openly, freely, and without fear.

“This victory over hate, belongs to the entire LGBTQ community, I hope it inspires others to stand against hate in all its forms. Justice is possible, but we must have the courage to demand it. If you are a victim of hate, know that you are not alone. You have the power to speak out and report it, the strength to fight, and a community ready to stand with you.”

In a statement, Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said: “Today’s sentencing follows an investigation into the harassment of a serving PSNI officer who was subject to a toxic campaign of online homophobic hate abuse over a prolonged period of time.

“I hope this sentencing serves as a clear warning to those who wrongly feel that online abuse and harassment can be justified as ‘freedom of expression and speech’.

“I want to acknowledge the determination and resilience of our colleague who stood up and stood firm in the face of this abuse to see justice done.”