A Ryde man who sent threatening messages to Island Echo in response to a news story being published about him has been sentenced to 8 months in prison. It was at the end of September last year that 43-year-old David Dunford, now of HMP Lewes but previously of Thornton Manor Drive, decided to send abusive and threatening messages to the Island’s leading news website, directed at the editor and publisher, Darren Toogood. In his messages, Dunford threatened to set up an ambush and follow Mr Toogood home. He also stated that the news editor was ‘being watched’ and would ‘taste lovely’, as well as publicly posting untrue, defamatory comments. The threats caused significant alarm as Dunford was arrested by Armed Police back in 2016 for carrying a crossbow outside a school in Cowes, a story covered by Island Echo at the time. Dunford was charged on Friday 29th September and remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court the next morning, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of harassment without violence. The matter was taken so seriously he was remanded in prison until a hearing in October to tie in with other unrelated matters, namely 2 charges of assault by beating at The Castle pub in Newport. However, at October’s hearing, Dunford was granted conditional bail by the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court, which included a curfew. Within just days Dunford had breached his bail conditions. He was subsequently arrested and remanded in custody once again. Now, Dunford – who has been to court more than 35 times for some 103 offences – has finally been sentenced for both the harassment of Island Echo’s editor and the unrelated assaults, as well as possession of an offensive weapon – namely a knife – found following an altercation at Wetherspoons in Ryde. It follows his conviction at the Isle of Wight Crown Court last month for the offences which Island Echo reported on back in September, which prompted Dunford’s unacceptable behaviour. On 9th May, Recorder Malcolm Gibney handed Dunford a 28-month prison sentence for 4x burglary, going equipped for burglary, possession of a bladed article, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and assault by beating of an emergency worker. 
Defending Dunford at today’s hearing, Jason Halsey said that his client has shown genuine remorse for his actions and that at the time of the offending he was not taking his medication. He also added that at HMP Lewes Dunford has enhanced prisoner status and now has a prison job. His Honour Judge James Newtown-Price KC handed David Dunford an 8-month prison sentence that is to be served consecutive to his current sentence. In handing down the sentence, the judge said that Island Echo was simply reporting on criminal proceedings as they have the right to do. Darren Toogood, Editor/Publisher of Island Echo, says:
“The sentencing of David Dunford should be a warning to all that the abuse of journalists and attacks on the press will not be tolerated – not be me, not by the industry and not by the criminal justice system. “Sadly, Dunford’s actions are not uncommon. For too long journalists have been seen as ‘fair game’, but no one should be abused for simply doing their job – especially when we are reporting news that is in the public interest. Perhaps now people will think twice and recognise that what they are doing is criminal. “We won’t be intimidated and the publication of this article, along with Dunford’s photograph above, despite the threats made, demonstrates that we strongly believe in the freedom of the press – and evidently the authorities do too. “I’d like to publicly thank Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Newport CID for their swift actions in dealing with this offender and putting a strong case forward to the Crown Prosecution Service, demonstrating that action will be taken when wrongdoing is identified”.
