A BITTER and angry ex-husband created a false identity to accuse his former wife of being a swinger in an attempt to get her sacked from the school where she worked.

Geoffrey Andrews sent messages to Wigan Council, the headteacher at her primary school and The Bolton News , claiming she was a swinger and unfit to teach, Bolton Magistrates Court heard.

The 34-year-old, who has a 12-year-old daughter with his ex-wife, appeared in court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to harassment without violence between January 10, 2011 and January 27, 2011.

The court heard that Andrews, of Darwen Road, Bromley Cross , created a false profile on Facebook which he used to “befriend” his wife by claiming he was a new teacher at the Atherton school.

He also hacked into her e-mail address and set up two accounts on swinging websites in her name.

Andrews then created a false e-mail address for a fake informant, Mike Jones, which he used to contact the council, her school, and The Bolton News.

The Bolton News did not publish the story after investigations revealed that it was untrue. The e-mail made a number of unsubstantiated allegations.

Zaheeda Khan, prosecuting, said Andrews’ actions were vindictive.

His ex-wife became aware of the e-mails after she was called in to speak to her boss.

Ms Khan said: “She didn’t know what it was about and she wasn’t interested in swingers.

“She was asked if she knew anyone with an axe to grind and she said she didn’t but it was wholly untrue.

“She said it has caused her distress. Grave consequences could have come about as a result of this.”

The couple married in 1999, separated in 2005 and got divorced in 2008.

Andrews has since re-married and his new wife is pregnant with the couple’s second child.

Adam Whittaker, defending, said it was stupid and foolish and Andrews deeply regrets his actions.

He claimed Andrews had become bitter and angry after not seeing much of his daughter over the Christmas period and said he created the profile to get more information from his ex-wife about their daughter.

Andrews, a project manager at a company based in Reddish, Stockport, was given a three-year conditional discharge and a six-year restraining order from his ex-wife. He was ordered to pay £175 costs and £800 compensation.