Cop’s ex denies web hunt for new man

Mar 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

THE ex-wife of a policeman cleared in court of stealing loo rolls from work has appeared on a lonely hearts website.

A seductive picture of Emma Pritchard is on the plentyoffish dating site under the heading: “Blonde BOmb Requiers (sic) Ignition!!!!!!”.

But when questioned at her smart semi near Llandudno town centre, Mrs Pritchard, who was accused at Mold Crown Court of “setting up” her husband Eirwyn Pritchard, denied she posted the message on the web.

Admitting the picture was of her, the 39-year-old mother-of-four claimed to be the victim of a mystery hoaxer, saying: “I wouldn’t even know how to turn on the computer. This has come as a big surprise.

“It’s the first I knew about it, I don’t know anything about computers.”

In court, police sergeant Pritchard, who is based at Holyhead, denied 17 charges of stealing items such as loo rolls, mop buckets and cleaning products from North Wales Police and was cleared by a jury.

During the trial, Mrs Pritchard, described as “vindictive” during a bitter divorce, had denied trying to get her husband into trouble, but agreed that she had written a letter to the tax man claiming he had not paid any tax – when an investigation showed that he was in fact due a £300 rebate.

It also emerged that she had falsely reported him for drink-driving and had left a box of burnt ashes on his doorstep.

She denied setting him up, but claimed that the divorce had left her in financial difficulties.

Yet, when cross-examined, she admitted that she owned two houses in Llandudno, which had been signed over to her by Sgt Pritchard and her first husband, a flat in Llandudno and a plot in Spain.

But she insisted that some of them would have to be sold because of debts.

On the website, the message below her picture says she is seeking a man long-term.

The advert reads: “OK, I have never done anything this mad before, but I suppose you should try everything once!!!!!!

“So here goes. I’m divorced. I should have done it years ago... but hey, you live and learn!”

The person purporting to be Mrs Pritchard describes herself as very shy at first “but trust me. I warm up quickly!!!”

The ad says she is “very energetic, vibrant and passionate about life” and describes her as a non-smoking, non-religious Virgo whose family is very important to her.

Love, loyalty, trust and compassion are ultimately essential, explains the ad. It continues to claim she is looking for a well-built man who “can be loved like they have never loved before!!!”

Sgt Pritchard, a former Met anti-terrorist officer, thanked the jury in a broken voice from the dock when the foreman returned not guilty verdicts on all charges.

He said suggestions he was a thief were ludicrous and claimed that he had been set up by a “vindictive and bitter woman” following their break-up.

The officer, due to retire in May, was discharged from the dock at Mold Crown Court, and said afterwards: “I am just glad that it is all over.”

Despite clearing his name, Wales on Sunday last month revealed that police were considering whether there needed to be an internal investigation into his conduct.