A workman sent a dead rabbit in the post to his former boss’s newborn son after he was sacked after 32 years in his job.

Derek Gwilliam, 59, waged a bitter hate campaign against company director Steve Rogers and his colleagues after he was fired for repeatedly bringing knives into work at the family run firm.

Over a five month period Gwilliam sent posted a series of offensive social media messages about 64-year old Mr Rogers, co-director Andrew Dawson, 39, and their respective families.

He was fired for repeatedly bringing knives into work at the family run firm (Picture: Cavendish Press)

One sick message sent by Gwilliam to Mr Rodgers’ wife Theresa purported to be from the late Professor Hawking and mocked the couple’s Down Syndrome son for requiring a wheelchair and calling him a ‘mong’.




The offensive post also linked a play on words about the stair lift company Stannah and the physicist’s death to use the callous phrase ‘Stannah stairway to heaven’.

Which industries could miss out on Rishi Sunak's plan to support 'viable jobs'?

The dead rabbit arrived at the offices of Trolex Engineering near Stockport, Greater Manchester, apparently addressed to Mr Dawson’s newborn son.

Gwilliam also tagged himself into a Facebook group warning his former workmates he planned to ‘fuck up the two pricks’ and sent naked pictures of a woman to Mrs Rogers plus offensive birthday cards.

The letter mocking the couple’s son was initially treated as a hate crime.

In a statement Mr Rogers whose firm has successfully specialised in the design and manufacture of electro-mechanical machinery for 41 years said: ‘We were sad to be letting go of Mr Gwilliam who had been working there for 32 years.

Gwilliam also tagged himself into a Facebook group warning his former workmates he planned to ‘fuck up the two pricks’ and sent naked pictures of a woman to Mrs Rogers plus offensive birthday cards (Picture: Cavendish Press)

The dead rabbit arrived at the offices of Trolex Engineering near Stockport, Greater Manchester, apparently addressed to Mr Dawson’s newborn son (Picture: Cavendish Press)

One sick message sent by Gwilliam to Mr Rodgers’ wife Theresa purported to be from the late Professor Hawking (Picture: Cavendish Press)

‘We didn’t want to terminate his employment, but we believe he became out of control.

‘We just didn’t realise how distressing it would be to be contacted by him directly.

Care home resident, 104, says visiting restrictions make her feel like she's in 'prison'

‘He was directing the hate crime towards my son and it was deeply distressing. There was also a picture of a naked woman which was received by my wife.

‘As a company we treat others with great respite to and that is how we expect to be treated in return.’

At Stockport magistrates court Gwilliam who lives in the town admitted harassment and was banned from contacting the two directors and their families for two years.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks custody suspended for two years and was also ordered to carry out 240 hours unpaid work and pay £200 in court costs.