TRUSTED constable David Boag used police computers to harass the new boyfriend of his former partner.

PC Boag, 45, looked up the registration number of his ex-girlfriend's new man on the police national computer to find out where he lived.

He then used the information to stop Timothy Hainsworth in the street and perform a police check on his vehicle and documents, a court heard.

PC Boag, a policeman of 27 years' experience and York's licensing officer, admitted harassing Joanne Edwards with unwanted visits, emails and phone calls.

He could now lose his job as a result of a further formal internal disciplinary tribunal into his criminal conviction and unauthorised computer use.

PC Boag could also be jailed if he breaches a restraining order imposed by magistrates that bans him from contacting the couple in any way for two-years.

Speaking on behalf of PC Boag, Les Coverdale, secretary of North Yorkshire Police Federation, said PC Boag "sincerely apologises" for his behaviour.

He said: "David Boag has learned a valuable lesson today. He apologises for his behaviour and he means that most sincerely."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We've been informed of the result of the court hearing. The officer's future will now be under review."

Harrogate Magistrates Court heard that PC Boag split up with Ms Edwards, his partner of five years, early this year. They had shared a house in Haxby with her young daughter.

In the beginning the split was amicable, but the prosecution said when Ms Edwards started a new relationship in June, PC Boag began a campaign of harassment.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, said neighbours spotted PC Boag at her home in Sandy Gap, Haxby, on several occasions where he looked through windows and searched bins.

She said he sent her unwanted emails from work computers, text messages and entered her home and a neighbour's home uninvited.

On one occasion, he visited The Jumper Company, in Petergate, York, a shop owned by Mr Hainsworth and spoke to his mother. He told her: "Pass on my regards."

The prosecutor said: "Mrs Hainsworth asked: 'Was that meant to be a threat?' and he said 'no', but she felt very uneasy about what was going on."

On July 22, Chief Inspector Andy Bell, one of York's most senior police officers, visited PC Boag at home and gave him a formal warning.

But he was forced to go back only a week later after several more incidents to remind PC Boag of the law.

On August 22, PC Boag was arrested after he visited a make-up party attended by Ms Edwards and her friends uninvited.

Only three days later, PC Boag followed Ms Edwards in his car.

Mrs Whiteley said: "He was directly behind her, riding on her bumper. Her seven-year-old daughter was on the back seat. It put her in fear of an accident."

He was arrested for a second time and charged with harassment. His solicitor, Andrew Cameron said he was "humbled and humiliated" by the experience.

Mrs Edwards told the Evening Press that the harassment had caused her "extreme distress". She said: "It is not acceptable behaviour of any individual let alone a serving police officer.

"His character should be in line with the expectations of an officer serving the public, promoting sociable behaviour rather than antisocial behaviour."

Updated: 08:48 Saturday, September 24, 2005