The self-proclaimed ‘pro-vigilante’ mom launched a TikTok smear campaign against ‘scared’ exes

Sophie Hammonds, 28, dubbed herself a “Professional Vigilante” and posted “Warning” videos on the app, despite her ex being cleared of unsubstantiated claims that he bullied her during their relationship

A self-proclaimed “pro-vigilante” mom launched a TikTok hate campaign against her “terrified” ex.

Sophie Hammonds, 28, has dubbed herself the “professional vigilante” and posted “warning” videos on the app, despite her ex being cleared of unsubstantiated claims that he bullied her during their relationship

Paul Fordman was also threatened with violence on the street after the 28-year-old bakery worker used a fake account to tell women to beware of him.

Paul, the father of one of her two children, went on trial last year after being accused of controlling behavior towards Hammonds but was acquitted by a jury.

During a malicious “Name and Shame” campaign in March this year, Hammonds posted three TikTok videos under the banner: “Justice one way or another” and described her ex as a “woman molester.”

She included screenshots from Mr. Fordman’s own TikTok page with voiceover, then added his girlfriends for them to see.

He later called the police and said he was threatened with physical violence on the street by others who saw the videos. Warrington Magistrates’ Court heard.

In a statement, Mr Fordman said: “I already suffer from serious mental illness and this series of incidents has had a terrible impact on my mental health.

“I hardly ate and had trouble falling asleep at night, and I suffered from panic attacks and nightmares. I felt anxious and extremely vulnerable and scared of what Sophie was going to do next to me.

“These attacks made me feel very vulnerable and helpless. I felt that I might be physically attacked on the street and was very scared. I have been threatened with violence and approached on the street while I was with my children.

“I avoid going out as much as possible. My mother was concerned and stressed about my mental wellbeing and physical safety. She calls me every day to make sure I’m okay and that I’m okay.”

Hammonds from Ellesmere Port, Cheshirepleaded guilty to harassment and was barred from contacting Mr. Fordman for a period of two years on the basis of a restraining order.

Prosecutor’s Counsel Amie Gouldson said: “The messages released by the defendant stated that the applicant was abusive to women and said: ‘He goes after young women who he can exploit, etc.’. The words “Justice one way or another” were written in one of the videos at the bottom of the screen.

“She clearly wanted to cause trouble. She went out of her way to create this fake account and add girlfriends to spread her message as widely as possible. The recordings certainly had a deleterious effect on Mr. Fordman.”

Defense attorney Chris Hunt told the court Hammonds was not seeking revenge but was trying to warn other women about what she “perceived” as their former partner’s “slandered” behavior.

“It’s ironic that she’s the one in the dock today,” said Mr. Hunt. “Her only other prior involvement in the criminal justice system was to make a statement to the police against the applicant.

“If a jury in this country believes a case is unproven, the person walks away with no blemish on their character. This is something the defendant has had difficulty dealing with, although she recognizes that two mistakes do not make a right.

“This isn’t just a revenge attack – rather misguided. Her intention was to warn others about what she perceived to be her former partner’s malicious traits. She endured endless abuse to the point where they actually accused her and took it all the way. The problem is that she felt like she wasn’t believed and wasn’t protected. In the end, there was no restraining order.

“She had to quit her job at a bakery when her mental health went through the floor. She lost a lot of weight.”

Mr Hunt added that Hammonds launched the page after coming across a post online about her former partner that upset her. “There were people congratulating him on being a good dad, things like that in the comments,” he said.

“She was upset, not because she wanted revenge. She was worried that others would be tricked. In hindsight, she understands what she did was wrong and constitutes harassment.”

Hammonds was ordered to complete a 12-month community directive with the requirement that she attend rehab activities for 15 days. She was also fined £80 with £180 in costs and a victim’s surcharge.

The Chair of the Magistrates’ Bench, Andrew Brothers, told her: “We know that the events leading up to this event have had serious consequences for your health and your employability. But while we can see that by posting the messages to show your concern to other women, you can’t make those kinds of statements — and certainly not on social media.”