A SALISBURY estate agents is “appalled and deeply shocked” by a former employee’s “repugnant actions” towards three police officers.

Laurie Kavanagh, of South Street, was not only ordered to pay nearly £1,000 but lost his job after a case of religiously aggravated harassment.

Heard by Southwark Crown Court, the 37-year-old was found guilty of using abusive, insulting, and threatening words and behaviour towards two officers, as well as religious abuse towards a third.

The offences took place in Hammersmith, London, on November 28, 2021.

Following the court hearing, previous employers Myddelton and Major expressed the company had not known about what happened.

Once it had come to light however, Kavanagh’s employment contract was terminated.

Philip Holford, managing partner, said: “Everyone here is appalled and deeply shocked by the former employee’s repugnant actions; his employment contract was terminated as soon as we were made aware of the court facts and sentence.

“He has brought disgrace and shame not only to our good company name but to the wider Salisbury community. We did not know he was facing criminal proceedings – we had not been notified by him.”

Kavanagh was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, and must have alcohol abstinence monitoring for 60 days.

He was ordered to pay £150 compensation for each assaulted officer – totalling £450 – and prosecution costs of £535.

Since Kavanagh’s court sentencing, Myddelton and Major says it has received online abuse, following Kavanagh’s “now-severed association with the business”.

Mr Holford added: “Whilst this is upsetting for our staff, it is nothing compared to what the police officers faced - our sympathies and thoughts are with them.

“We can only hope that our customers understand that the ex-employee’s vile actions were in an individual capacity and are in no way a reflection of the values and standards that we hold dear and have been known for since starting out in Salisbury more than 100 years ago.”

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