Thug attacked his partner then sent her threats

A THUG who assaulted his partner and then sent her threatening text messages and phone calls will learn his fate next month.

Thomas Owen McKee, from Accrington, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to assault by beating, affray and also putting the same victim in fear of violence by harassment.

The court heard that McKee, 27, assaulted his partner and committed the affray on January 1 this year.

He then sent her threatening text and voicemail messages between January 27 and February 2 which ‘caused her to fear violence would be used against her’.

Prosecutor Emma Kehoe said another charge of making a threat to kill would not be pursued by the prosecution.

She said: “As a package of pleas they are acceptable to the

Crown.” Defence barrister Philip Holden requested the case be adjourned so the probation service could prepare a pre-sentence report on the defendant.

Judge Richard Gioserano agreed to the request and told McKee: “I’m adjourning for a pre-sentence report, not because I’m indicating to you that you are going to avoid a prison sentence here.

“I’m not indicating that at all.

“I’m adjourning simply for the court to have as much information about you as possible and to give you the opportunity through your counsel to ask the court to consider not imposing an immediate custodial sentence.”

McKee, of Spring Hill Road, Accrington, was remanded into custody and will next appear for sentence at Preston Crown Court on April

20.