A MAN convicted of a drink driving offence sent offensive messages to the family of an off-duty police officer who reported him, a court heard.

Andrew Rae, aged 52, of Church Mead, Toller Porcorum, appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court where he admitted sending by means of a public electronic communications network a Facebook message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.

The court heard the offence was committed after Rae was arrested for drink driving last year. He was later disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Rae had drunk three pints of beer in a pub in west Dorset when he decided to drive home.

He was later arrested by police, who had been notified by an off-duty officer, PC Oliver Snelling, that he might be over the limit.

PC Snelling had been drinking at the same pub as Rae.

On December 16, following his arrest for drink driving, Rae sent an offensive Facebook message to the brother of PC Snelling’s partner.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Valera said Rae knew he was the brother of PC Snelling’s partner, from living in the same area.

In the message, Rae called PC Snelling expletives and said, ‘snitches get stitches.’

He added in the message: “I had three pints, what is his game?”

Rae also threatened to pass PC Snelling’s details on to ‘the right people.’

In a statement, PC Snelling said the message had caused him and his family a ‘great deal of stress’ and that he felt ‘targeted’ by Rae.

The court heard from Rae's probation officer, who said he had accepted his wrongdoing and that he has a problem with drinking.

Magistrates were also told by Rae's solicitor that he was in court due to his own 'stupidity', and that before the drink driving offence he was a man of good character.

Rae was fined £305, ordered to pay £80 compensation, costs of £85, and a £30 victim surcharge. He was also given a two-year restraining order.

Rae was warned that he could go to prison if he breached the restraining order.