Man issued knife threat to his ex
MESSAGE WARNED NOT TO RENEW COURT ORDER
A BRUTE threatened to “put a knife” in his ex-girlfriend’s throat during a chilling voicemail message.
Sean Casey made the threat to his former partner, with whom he shares two children, when she tried to renew a court order against him.
The 43-year-old, who has a history of domestic-related incidents against the victim, left the woman so terrified he would carry out the threat that she immediately called the police.
Casey, of Sycamore Street, in Ashington, was arrested and appeared in the dock in custody at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court less than 48 hours later.
He pleaded guilty to a malicious communications offence and a separate matter of criminal damage, which saw him borrow a PlayStation and games from the 12-year-old son of another former partner and destroy it.
Niamh Reading, prosecuting, said Casey and the victim shared “an extensive” history and he’d been subject of a court order banning him from contacting her in the past. However, that order had expired.
Miss Reading continued: “On July 3, the defendant sent her a voicemail saying he would find her and put a knife in her throat. The victim was so alarmed, she phoned the police.
“In interview, the defendant accepted he had sent the message but couldn’t recall doing so and said he didn’t intend to carry out the threats and acted out of frustration. He has been subject to court orders in the past in connection with [the victim].”
The court heard that, in January last year, Casey had his foot in a cast and was immobile so borrowed a PlayStation and games from another former girlfriend. The items belonged to her son. Casey had the console for months and refused to give it back before the woman called the police and they searched his home.
Miss Reading said: “He was arrested and said he deliberately destroyed the items in a drunk fit of anger. Those items were worth £249.99.”
In relation to the threatening messages, Stuart Athey defending, said Casey had made a “foolish and unpleasant” comment but hadn’t intended to carry out the threat. He added: “He hadn’t heard from the complainant in a long time. He then received, through the door, a series of papers for the renewal of a court order against him. That causes huge problems for him.”
Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and released Casey on unconditional bail to next appear at the same court on July 25.