Norfolk man made threats to petrol bomb ex-partner's home

NORFOLK MAN MADE THREATS TO PETROL BOMB EX-PARTNER'S HOME

A man threatened to put a brick through his ex-girlfriend's skull and blow her house up in a string of threatening messages.

Daniel Folkes also sent the woman - with whom he has a daughter - voicemails and emails as part of a campaign of harassment.

The 39-year-old appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court this month where he was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 weeks.

The hearing was told his victim had been left on "tenterhooks" by his behaviour, which had an impact not only on her but also their daughter.

In the messages, which Folkes sent after taking cocaine, he threatened to "petrol bomb her house" and "blow it up".

Katharine Newson, prosecuting, said he also told her he was "going to put a brick through her skull" in the messages sent on September 13.

Folkes, of Southampton Place, Great Yarmouth, admitted a charge of sending communication threatening death or serious violence.

He also admitted harassment without violence and another offence of possession of cocaine.

"This was a nasty course of action," said Eamon Lambert, chairman of the bench of magistrates.

He said there was also a child present when the offences were committed which was "not good".

But he said given Folkes' guilty pleas and the fact he had already served seven weeks in custody on remand there was the "prospect of rehabilitation".

He must also do 20 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR), a building relationships module and six-month intensive drugs treatment programme.

Rob New, mitigating, said the victim was not seeking a restraining order and had sought to contact him but he does not want a relationship with her.

Mr New said he was "deeply ashamed of what he said" but prior to these offences had been out of trouble for nearly five years.

He said Folkes, who was a self-employed roofer, had the promise of work and accommodation.