My boss received an anonymous letter, which, had it been believed, could have cost me my job. I later obtained proof that it had been sent by my ex-wife. Is it an offence to write malicious letters?
It is an offence to send malicious communications, whether by post or ‘phone or in person. The legislation is designed to protect people from communications which cause them distress or alarm, and which may constitute harassment. The police may decide to caution your ex-wife against repeating the offence. Depending on the contents of the letter it may of course also be libellous. Depending on how long you’ve been working for your employer you may have had a case for compensation for unfair dismissal if you’d been sacked on the basis of an anonymous letter.