A former Sea Bright police officer was sentenced to five years in prison and may never work in the public sector after admitting he terrorized his ex-girlfriend.

During a plea hearing in September Erich A. Bennett, 47, admitted to making his ex-girlfriend fear for her life after their breakup in October 2022, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.

Bennett disabled the security cameras at her home, slashed her tires, keyed her car and threatened to mutilate her sexually.

While he was on duty, Bennett made 30 unauthorized database searches of her ex-husband and three male friends, according to Asbury Park Press coverage of the trial.