Ex-teacher tried to put the ‘fear of God’ into social worker he hated Obsessive offender threatened acid attack
ABIRMINGHAM City Council social worker was sent sulphuric acid in the post as part of a hate campaign by a former teacher – who threatened to throw it in her face.
Domhnall Rooney, aged 36 and from Poplar Avenue, in Edgbaston, also plastered stickers around the area he believed she lived, branding her a paedophile.
Birmingham Crown Court heard Rooney had an “obsession, deep resentment and hatred” of the victim and wanted to “put the fear of God” in her.
Philip Beardwell, prosecuting, said he began his four-month campaign in February when he sent a fake email to Bordesley police, suggesting a child linked with the social worker had been abused by its carer. In early March the victim received an email from Rooney using a false name, in which he claimed he had hacked into her account.
The defendant also sent a letter to her boss’s home in Sutton Coldfield, wrongly believing that was where she lived.
He also posted stickers around the town carrying her picture stating she was a “paedophile supplier of children”.
Rooney also sent hundreds of emails to schools and council departments, naming the woman as a “sociopathic abuser of children”.
The campaign culminated in Rooney posting two scented oil bottles addressed to the Sutton Coldfield address, with a note wishing the victim a happy birthday.
But it added: “Only joking. The bottles contain sulphuric acid. If you don’t back off it will go on your face and your family.”
Police examined the stamps used on the package and discovered what post office it had been sent from. CCTV showed Rooney in the post office with the package – and wearing gloves. When officers searched his home they discovered that acid from his car battery matched the acid sent to the victim.
In a statement the social worker said she felt frightened and very vulnerable and had been unable to go to work because she feared she could be followed and attacked.
Rooney had denied putting a person in fear by harassment but was found guilty. He had admitted carrying out the campaign, but claimed he was trying to prevent a crime.
Judge Melbourne Inman adjourned sentence until July 7. QC