Social media addict who bombarded female chief constable with hundreds of abusive posts claims he was driven by online dopamine rush as he admits to stalking her

A social media addict who admitted bombarding a female chief constable with hundreds of abusive posts claimed he was driven by online dopamine rush.

Jason Nicholls pleaded guilty to online stalking, claiming his internet harassment was driven by the rush of trying to get likes on social media.

Over a period of almost two years, he shared hundreds of posts, memes, and satirical videos on X criticising the work of Sussexs Jo Shiner.

Among other posts, the 54-year-old started a Twitter soap called Shiner Street which detailed the ups and downs of her force and also created a wanted poster with her face on for crimes against policing.

At todays hearing, prosecutor Anisa Alrubaie said Nicholls stalked CC Shiner from October 2022 to August of this year.

It was heard he alleged there was corruption within the force and suggested police were not investigating a matter reported by the defendant - even messaging senior officers who contacted her, concerned about the allegations.

Among other posts, he edited CC Shiner onto cartoon pictures of sheep and put her face on a wanted poster.

Accepting a charge of stalking, Nicholls detailed how his social media addiction has dominated his life for over a decade as he tried to chase the instant dopamine rush which came with posting online.

He claimed to be the UKs first registered X-oholic and says he now hopes to help others like him whose online lives have become unmanageable.

Jason Nicholls pleaded guilty to online stalking of a female chief constable, claiming his internet harassment was driven by the rush of trying to get likes on social media

He created a wanted poster with her face on for crimes against policing

Pictured is one of the memes Nicholls posted on his social media

Nicholls pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates Court, Hampshire, to stalking CC Shiner and will be sentenced in February next year.

In a statement issued to coincide with the hearing, the father from the Isle of Wight said: I am an X-oholic-blind to risk or consequence, I have lost control of my online life, impulsively chasing the instant dopamine rush of likes, shares, and replies through an overwhelming flood of posts, memes, and satirical videos.

Today, Ive hit rock bottom, but Im ready to take his first steps toward recovery.

Nicholls said he turned to X to cope with genuine distress relating to an issue caused by a fostering assessment with East Sussex County Council that went disastrously wrong.

But things quickly spiralled out of control, it continued.

For me - who has ADHD, which makes me especially susceptible to addictive behaviour - Elon Musks free-speech platform X became like a high-street fixed-odds gambling machine, offering a quick, seductive, and psychologically numbing high.

Nicholls apologised to CC Shiner and Sussex Police force and asked for forgiveness and understanding relating to the addiction that has dominated my life over the past decade.

I deeply appreciate the difficult and vital role the police play and regrets that my actions crossed the line, he continued.

Above all, I am here to ask the court for support in breaking free from this overwhelming compulsion.

One of the memes from his social media account targeting CC Shiner

Over a period of almost two years, he shared hundreds of posts, memes, and satirical videos on X criticising the work of Sussexs Jo Shiner

I may be the UKs first registered X-oholic, but I wont be the last.

The father said X has transformed how people in the UK air their problems, challenge people in power, and catch up on the news.

Now Donald Trump is back in the White House, I fear my addiction will only worsen, he continued.

Today, this court has an opportunity to show national leadership in acknowledging that something has to be done to help X-oholics like me live a normal life.

Nicholls alleged online that the force was covering up crime and started a Twitter soap called Shiner Street.

He said this following the ups and downs of £SussexPoliceCheifConstableShiner, the court heard.

And, he also contacted media outlets including BBC Radio Sussex, falsely telling them she has been arrested.

He also created a poster which joked that she was separated at birth with Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses.

The prosecutor said there was a large number of posts which were distressing to PC Shiner.

Ms Alrubaie said: Professionally, the impact on her has been embarrassment when she has been contacted by senior officials in other organisations as the defendant has sent them messages.

He also created a poster which joked that she was separated at birth with Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses

Nicholls pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates Court, Hampshire, to stalking CC Shiner and will be sentenced in February next year

Speaking to the court, Nicholls - who was unrepresented at todays hearing - said: I do want to say sorry.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of stalking without fear and distress and will appear back in the same court on February 20 next year for sentencing.

Concluding the hearing, Magistrate Anne Toomer addressed the X-oholic and said: You are on conditional bail and the conditions are that you dont contact Jo Shiner directly or indirectly.

You must not use any form of social media and that includes, but is not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter - any social media at all.

You must not contact the officer in charge of this case and also, youre only to contact the police in the event of a genuine emergency.

Nicholls said he intents to create a support group called The Clear Mind Collective, to help others like him whose online lives have become unmanageable.