A VETERAN who worked for a military charity struck up a romantic relationship with his boss before launching a campaign of abuse and harassment against her.

Philip Dunn, 49, who served in the British Army for 23 years, began working for the Project Nova programme in September 2017.

The programme, delivered by Walking With The Wounded, aims to identify and support veterans who have had brushes with the law.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard Dunn, who suffered with PTSD and alcohol dependency, entered into a relationship with a colleague which turned abusive.

Between March and April, he repeatedly called and left threatening messages on her phone despite being warned not to contact her.

He visited her house in Colchester three times across a single day.

Louise Maples, prosecuting, said: “The third time he tried to pull the door open, picked up a garden implement and pretended to cut his wrists.

“Police arrived and he was sectioned.

“She was left in a position where she had to put chairs under door handles to stop him.”

She added “He made 81 calls to her between March 29 and April 9.”

Dunn, of Uggeshall, Beccles, admitted a charge of harassment without violence.

Evelyn Hicks, mitigating, said her client is “incredibly remorseful”.

“Clearly he was under severe mental health distress at the time of the offending which is accepted by the victim,” she said.

“This is a relationship which has gone horribly wrong.

“The victim was, in fact, Mr Dunn’s boss.

“He lost his job because of these proceedings.”

She said Dunn was receiving help from the Royal British Legion and TILS – an NHS mental health service for veterans.

“He had a highly sensitive job within the British Army, he undertook tours in Afghanistan and Ireland,” said Ms Hicks.

“It is clear that had a huge impact on him.

“When you’ve seen what he’s seen in the way he has seen it in the amount of tours he has had, there is clearly an issue.” 

Magistrates ordered Dunn to complete a 12 month community order, encompassing a 19 day Thinking Skills programme and 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must also pay £380 in fines and costs and was subjected to a 12 month restraining order.