Man sentenced for threatening to strangle ex

James Barron admitted sending a threatening communication (file photo)

A man threatened to strangle his ex-girlfriend and broke a window at her mother's house after their relationship ended, a court has heard.

James Barron, 31, had been with the woman for four years, but she left with their two young children due to his "abusive" behaviour, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Judge Julie Clemitson said if Barron had any feelings for his ex-partner as he claimed, the "right thing to do" was to "let her heal on her own and leave her alone".

He was given a two-year community order after admitting sending a threatening communication and criminal damage.

Prosecutor Jordan Parkinson said the woman "couldn't take any more" of Barron's "abusive" behaviour and moved in with her mother in Fenham, Newcastle, in April.

Days later, a friend showed her a message in which Barron threatened to "strangle" her, ending with what the judge called a "particularly offensive" insult.

The woman believed the threat to be "genuine" and feared for her safety and that of their children, Ms Parkinson said.

The following day, Barron turned up at his ex-partner's mother's house and, after shouting to be let in, smashed a window with a rock, causing up to £300 worth of damage.

In a statement read to the court, Barron's victim said she had lived in fear of him for months and after she "got away", he continued to harass and abuse her.

'Absolutely terrifying'

In mitigation, John Crawford said Barron, of Wharrier Street in Newcastle, accepted his actions had been "clearly unacceptable".

Judge Clemitson said as the prosecution outlined the case, Barron, who was appearing via video link from HMP Durham, looked as if he recognised "how appalling and bad" his behaviour was.

She said he had told probation officers he still had feelings for the woman and hoped there may be a reconciliation.

The judge said after hearing of the impact his offending had had on his victim, she hoped he would recognise he should leave her alone, to which Barron replied: "Yeah, of course."

Judge Clemitson said Barron's behaviour, which had also included sending messages threatening to damage the woman's property and belongings, "must have been absolutely terrifying" for her.

She also said he made a "terrible scene" at the woman's mother's home while his children were inside, and they could have been "terrified" by his "ranting and raving".

'Not soft option'

Judge Clemitson said given he had been in prison for two months awaiting sentencing, if she imposed a jail term upon him he would not spend much longer inside.

Instead, she made a "more constructive order" which she hoped would allow Barron to "undertake the work" he "clearly needed to do" to live a law-abiding life and be a "supportive father rather than an abusive former partner".

The judge warned him it was "not a soft option" and he would have to work closely with the probation service, who also would have to approve where he lived for the next year.

A restraining order banning him from contacting his ex and her mother or entering the streets where they lived for two years was also made.