Watton man Steven Webb handed suspended sentence for sending threatening messages to judge’s family after Hilgay men Wayne and Riley Peckham convicted of murder
A man sent threatening messages to relatives of a crown court judge after a father-and-son duo were found guilty of murder.
Steven Webb, 34, has avoided an immediate jail term after admitting four counts of perverting the course of justice.
Webb, who was today sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, had pleaded guilty to charges relating to messages sent following the conviction of Wayne and Riley Peckham at Norwich Crown Court in March 2023.
The two men, of Manby Close, Hilgay, were found guilty of murdering Downham refuse worker Matthew Rodwell.
They are both now serving life sentences.
Family members of the presiding judge received messages and family photos, from a fake social media account under the name ‘Nikita Hussain’, including:
- “OVERTURN RILEY AND WAYNE CONVICTION OR ELSE”
- “WE GAVE ALL YOUR PICS”
- “UR IN BIG TROUBLE”
- “SEE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY REALLY REALLY SOON […]”
Investigations identified Webb, of Charles Avenue, Watton, as a suspect, despite him having no apparent links to the Peckhams.
He was arrested following a warrant at his home in May.
Multiple devices were seized from the property, and were found to contain photo collages that had been sent to the victims, searches for the family names from his personal social media accounts, as well as research into the Peckhams’ case.
Webb was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, today at the Old Bailey.
He was also given a restraining order, a deprivation order for his computer equipment, and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days.
Detective Constable Adam Ruskin said: “Webb showed a clear disregard and lack of compassion for all parties who were deeply affected by the Peckhams’ murder trial.
“He deliberately targeted the family of a prominent member of our legal system with the intention to have a detrimental impact on their wellbeing.
“Furthermore, they were a targeted attempt to pervert and alter the course of justice in what was a harrowing, profound case for all involved.
“I would like to expressly thank my colleagues in Cyber Crime and the Digital Media Investigations unit for their assistance in bringing the defendant to justice.”
