GIRLFRIEND SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THUG’S ABUSE
BY reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk A VICTIM recorded her boyfriend from hell as he was beating her up and threatening to “ruin” her.
Thug Richard Hendrie, 40, carried out a two-month hate campaign against ex-partner Claire Sneddon, 46, after she broke up with him.
Ground worker Hendrie hounded Claire with texts, emails and social media messages – even threatening to post intimate pictures of her online to her friends and family.
In chilling audio recordings obtained exclusively by the Record, Hendrie can be heard telling Claire, “I’m going to ruin you” and “you’re f ****** dead now.”
In another recording made on Claire’s phone, Hendrie can be heard assaulting her as she begs him to leave her house telling him: “Get out my house. You’re frightening me.”
Hendrie was caught by police carrying a knife in the garden of Claire’s Airdrie home, in the early hours last October 24.
Appearing at Airdrie Sheriff court last month, Hendrie admitted to assaulting Claire and to carrying a knife in October.
He also admitted hacking Claire’s Facebook and email account, repeatedly contacting her via text and email, threatening her and repeatedly driving past her home. Hendrie also admitted entering Claire’s home and refusing to leave, following her in her car, cycling by her house and repeatedly phoning and threatening her and her family.
He was jailed for 13 months this week and handed a two-year non-harassment order.
Claire said: “I got a call from a neighbour saying she could see him in the back garden wearing a balaclava and had a knife.
“She phoned 999 and as I already had a panic alarm, they were there in seconds. The policeman came in and said, ‘That was a huge knife’ and I was terrified.”
Claire added: “It was hell. I was living in fear. If I left the house, he would be there. He would bang on my windows, come to the door.
“He would call me at least 100 times a day and through the night, plus text me, email me repeatedly.
“He would threaten me, tell me he would kill me and tell me I was nothing. There was just no end. I don’t know when he ever slept.
“He even set the shed alight in the back garden one night. I think that was to show he was there. The police said they couldn’t prove it was him but they knew it was him.”
HGV driver Claire began to record Hendrie so she had evidence. She added: “All I ever wanted to do was split up. I didn’t deserve to live my life in constant fear.
“I can’t believe the sentence he got. He will be out in half that time and it will only be a matter of time till this all starts again.
“I’ve had no control over my own life for so long. I wanted to face him in court and tell people the truth about what he has done to me.”
Now, Claire wants to help others in similar situations.
She said: “I want people to come forward. There is help out there.” Hendrie: “You’re f ****** dead now, hen.”
“Go on, keep recording. Go on and I’ll take the phone straight off your f ****** head. “What are you doing?”
Inaudible “I’ve already seen it thanks very much.”
Inaudible “I’m not shouting, Rich.”
“Is your wee phone on record, aye?” “Does it matter?”
“Yes, it does. “I want you to leave. I want you to leave my house.”
“Do you have your phone on record?” “I want you to leave my house, Richard, you’re frightening me. “Turn your phone aff.” “Get out my house. Are you not going to leave?” “How, what are you goin to do?” Sounds of scuffling and Claire screaming.
“Don’t you dare. Don’t you f ****** dare. Don’t. Get f ****** off me. No. Get out. Get out. Get out my house. Get out. Get out my house.”
“Now you’re off your phone. “Don’t bother taking my key. What are you doing?”
“You’ll get that back when you get off your phone.” “Rich can you stop phoning me and harassing me please. I’ve not done anything.” “Harassing ye, aye? What is this harassment like?” “See now, I’m going to ruin you.” “Why?” “See if I see your f ****** stupid wee message on your phone, keep it.”
“You’ll f ****** need it. I’ll tell you what, see when you get your phone took off aff ye in the street, it’s not my fault.”
“What are you threatening that someone is going to f ****** mug me for my phone?”
“Did I say that? No, I did not say that.”
“Aye you did just say that. If someone takes your phone off you in the street it’s not be my fault. That’s a threat.”
“I’m not threatening nothing.”
“See the difference is, I don’t threaten, hen. I carry out.”
“You’re nothing. You will always be nothing.”